Savannah Bellemen
January 2021
Savannah
Belleman
,
RN
Hospice
Lebanon VA Medical Center
Savannah worked hard to find a way to both pay tribute to the unit's Veterans and to help ease the emotional toll that was being felt by staff.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, this nurse established herself as a leader beyond expectations within the Community Living Centers. By mid-April, the weight of this disease was bearing down on one of the Community Living Center unit, its' Veterans, and staff members. This was making it increasingly difficult to safely staff the unit and meet increasingly challenging Veteran needs. At this time, she stepped up and requested a voluntary detail to work as a charge nurse on the unit. Her detail extended from April 15 through May 25.
Almost immediately after her detail began, she took on a leadership role. She made several key observations that changed the course of operations on the unit. Notably, her advocacy led to strengthening the collaboration between the unit and EMS to meet the growing cleaning/infection control needs. After only two days on the unit, she worked closely with the unit nursing team to develop a comprehensive plan to reevaluate and reorganize the Veteran room assignments. This plan addressed Veteran COVID status and prioritized Veteran behavioral and care needs.
Frequently during her detail, she engaged herself in efforts to find answers to questions, provide guidance to CLC and detailed staff, and to assist in developing the most efficient ways to deliver care. She utilized astute clinical observations to accurately assess changing Veteran conditions and took necessary steps to ensure that covering medical providers were kept abreast of ongoing Veteran needs that required immediate attention. She helped to guide the unit through to its' recovery status.
Following the return to her own unit, she remained committed to the Veterans and staff on her "adopted" unit. She worked hard to find a way to both pay tribute to the unit's Veterans and to help ease the emotional toll that was being felt by staff. This led to her creating a heartfelt Memorial Service and powerpoint that she will be delivering to staff. After observing her dedication, I am confident that her early "interventions" played an integral part in helping keep well people from getting sick and sick people from getting sicker. She can be held up as a role model of what it means to serve during a time of crisis.
Almost immediately after her detail began, she took on a leadership role. She made several key observations that changed the course of operations on the unit. Notably, her advocacy led to strengthening the collaboration between the unit and EMS to meet the growing cleaning/infection control needs. After only two days on the unit, she worked closely with the unit nursing team to develop a comprehensive plan to reevaluate and reorganize the Veteran room assignments. This plan addressed Veteran COVID status and prioritized Veteran behavioral and care needs.
Frequently during her detail, she engaged herself in efforts to find answers to questions, provide guidance to CLC and detailed staff, and to assist in developing the most efficient ways to deliver care. She utilized astute clinical observations to accurately assess changing Veteran conditions and took necessary steps to ensure that covering medical providers were kept abreast of ongoing Veteran needs that required immediate attention. She helped to guide the unit through to its' recovery status.
Following the return to her own unit, she remained committed to the Veterans and staff on her "adopted" unit. She worked hard to find a way to both pay tribute to the unit's Veterans and to help ease the emotional toll that was being felt by staff. This led to her creating a heartfelt Memorial Service and powerpoint that she will be delivering to staff. After observing her dedication, I am confident that her early "interventions" played an integral part in helping keep well people from getting sick and sick people from getting sicker. She can be held up as a role model of what it means to serve during a time of crisis.