The Record Special Sections Health Quarterly 04-26-2020 | Page 3

NORTHJERSEY.COM ❚ SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2020 ❚ 3
HEALTH QUARTERLY / ADVERTISING SECTION
Uniquely Qualified,
Nurses Serve at the
Forefront of Care
Caregivers Risk Their Own Health
And Safety During COVID-19 Crisis
By KATHLEEN MATHIEU
Special to Health Quarterly
I
t was a blessing at a dreadful time.
As the 94-year-old man lay dying from
COVID-19 in a New Jersey hospital, a
nurse kept his family updated by phone.
The harsh necessity of forbidding almost all
visitors had added to the disease’s cruelty.
Patient and family were apart at a time
when people need each other most. “That
nurse should have a plaque on the wall,”
said the man’s oldest child in tribute.
This dedicated professional is just one
of the countless nurses who are support-
ing absent loved ones during unprec-
edented times. Among them is Holy Name
Medical Center’s Arlene Van Dyk, RN. “It is
heartbreaking to speak to families on the
phone,” said the veteran ICU nurse who
described this extra layer of responsibility
as part of “a higher level of nursing than I
have ever seen in my 32 years of service.”
Still, Van Dyk knows that connecting
with patients and their loved ones is
fundamental to the best care possible.
She believes that
although her
patients are heavily
medicated, they
are aware of their
surroundings. “I
whisper little words
PHOTO COURTESY
OF JEFF RHODE/HOLY
NAME MEDICAL CENTER
Nurse Van Dyk
cares for a critical
care patient
on a ventilator
in the ICU at Holy
Name Medical
Center in Teaneck.
Dressed in protective gear, Holy Name Medical Center’s Arlene Van Dyk, RN, is
among the many nurses and doctors on the frontline directly caring for COVID-19
patients in intensive care units.
of encouragement. Keep fighting. We are
way in patient care. Caitlin Burke, BA,
doing everything we can.”
BSN, RN, NE-BC, nurse manager of patient
Area hospitals are supplying caregivers
care services at The Valley Hospital, volun-
with timely tools to fight the pandemic.
teered to open its first COVID-19 medical/
Holy Name’s nursing staff has been receiv-
surgical unit. Twenty-two beds are included
ing ongoing education from the beginning,
in a negative pressure environment where
said Van Dyk. The situation is fluid and
the air, including harmful particles, is
things can change rapidly.
removed constantly. Gear such as uncom-
There have been various opportunities
fortable jumpers fashioned out of plastic-
for learning and sharing with colleagues.
like material and restrictive masks make
Traditional learning methods have been
shifts even more challenging, she said.
replaced largely with teleconferences,
Nevertheless, Burke and her colleagues
emails, unit meetings and Holy Name’s
welcome the protective personal equip-
intranet. Huddles, short meetings on the
ment. COVID-19 “is the biggest disease that
floor, occur often. COVID-19 is a real-time
affects us, too,” said Burke. “You don’t typi-
crisis that doesn’t allow for formalities.
cally get ill [with other diseases]. If you are
Fortunately, flexibility and innovation are
not protected the right way, you can get
part of an excellent nurse’s professional
sick and get others sick.” Burke is proud
DNA. Nurses have been said to be among
of her fellow nurses, many of whom have
the most “unstuck” professionals.
See NURSES Page 4
It is nursing that very much leads the
H ospital i ndex & u pdates
n Valley Health Launches
Specialty Pharmacy Services.
n Virtual Health and Urgent Care
Visits Available Through Valley
Telehealth.
Pages 5 & 16
n I Think I Have Coronavirus,
Now What? — Hackensack Meridian
Health Identifies the Symptoms
And Provides Step-by-Step
Guidance in Seeking Treatment.
Pages 6 & 7
Englewood Health
Pages 9 & 13
n Stay Fit While Staying Put —
Home Exercise and Eat Healthy
With Holy Name Medical Center.
Pages 10 & 11
H ealtH Q uarterly
Spring 2020
North Jersey Media Group
1 Garret Mountain Plaza
PO Box 471
Woodland Park, NJ 07424-0471
Vice President/Production: Glenn Garvie
Custom Pub Specialists: James Emolo and Joseph Ritacco
Health Quarterly/Spring 2020
is a product of The Record Advertising Department.
To advertise, call 973-569-7854
For content inquiries, call 973-569-7895
COVER PHOTO: Getty Images