NYSNA nurses at Erie Country Medical Center (ECMC) care deeply about their community. This summer, they marched alongside community members at Juneteenth and Labor Day celebrations, and just a few weeks ago they donated school supplies to an under-resourced Buffalo public school. But on Friday, Aug. 22, nurses had an opportunity to show how much they care for their community in a different way—by rising to the occasion in the aftermath of a tragic bus accident that left five dead and many more injured.
Jumping Into Action
When Jaimie Zajac, RN, a NYSNA member and nurse in ECMC’s emergency department (ED), learned about a possible mass casualty incident (MCI) via text message, she went straight to her supervisor. Following hospital policy, her supervisor escalated the warning, bringing it to hospital leadership. But after receiving more texts asking about the MCI, Jaimie went back to her supervisor and emphasized how serious this could be. And it was critical that she did—just minutes after initiating the MCI protocol, emergency medical services (EMS) helicopters began landing on the roof. Nurses, alongside other hospital staff, sprang into action to save as many lives as possible.
Managing a Full Load
Thanks to Jaimie’s and other nurses’ warnings, the ED was able to prepare to receive an influx of trauma patients. Nurses cleared the bay, transferring non-critical patients to other units and discharging the patients who were able to go home. Within minutes, though, the ED began to fill again, as trauma patients arrived at the hospital by helicopter and by ambulance. The ED team held the line: sorting patients by acuity, treating various injuries, using translators to communicate with non-English speakers, and managing the anxiety and fear of their patients. Nurses, from the ED and other units across the hospital, worked hard to ensure that every patient—and the family members of those patients—received compassionate and safe, quality care.
There’s no I in Team
For nearly two hours, the ED at ECMC ran like a well-oiled machine—and that’s thanks to nurses and other hospital staff coming together for their community in a time of need. Graciana Giambra, RN, NYSNA member and ED nurse , said, “Despite the tragedy, the whole thing felt like such a success for the hospital and for nurses. So many of our nurses stepped up to the plate to take care of patients. The whole thing was a blur, but I know I felt supported the entire time.”
NYSNA Western Regional Director John Batson, RN—who was not present at the time of the MCI—said, “I am so proud of our NYSNA nurses in the ED. In the face of this tragedy, they were able to rise to the occasion and provide exceptional care to all who needed it. NYSNA nurses at ECMC stand ready at a moment’s notice, and I’m glad they were able to be there when our community needed them the most.”…