Keeping Care Going Over The Holidays
2024-12-20
At Cornwall Community Hospital
(CCH), care doesn’t pause for the holidays. While many in our community are
celebrating with family and friends, a dedicated team of staff and physicians
continue to ensure patients receive the care they need, day or night.
The holidays at a hospital look
much like any other day: patients need attention, facilities must be
maintained, and the Emergency Department remains ready to respond at a moment’s
notice. But for those working during this time of year, the season brings an
added layer of commitment and compassion.
From nurses at the bedside to
environmental services staff ensuring rooms are sanitary, every role is
essential to keeping the hospital running smoothly. Porters, diagnostic imaging
staff, maintenance crews, food services teams, security officers, and physicians
all play a part in providing the same high level of exceptional care,
regardless of the date on the calendar.
For night shift teams, the
holidays can feel particularly challenging. While families are nestled all snug
in their beds, with visions of sugar-plums dancing in their heads, these staff
members are busy caring for patients, cleaning and preparing spaces for the
morning ahead, and responding to emergencies as they arise.
“We know it’s hard to be away
from family during the holidays,” says Andrew Bissonnette, Registered Nurse in
the Critical Care Unit. “But we’re here for our patients and for each other.
It’s a special kind of teamwork during this time of year.”
Staff often find creative ways to
bring a bit of festive cheer into the hospital. Units might hang small
decorations and teams share holiday treats during breaks. If you’ve visited CCH
recently, you may have noticed the creative holiday door decorations put
together by our staff, adding a touch of warmth and celebration throughout the
hospital.
Some staff go out of their way to
brighten a patient’s day with a kind word or a listening ear. For patients spending the holidays in the
hospital, these small gestures can mean everything.
“It makes me happy to be here on
Christmas because a lot of our patients can’t go anywhere else, so we get to be
here for them,” says Jean-Pierre Barayasesa, Patient Care Aide on our Inpatient
Surgery Unit, who will be working over the holidays this year.
The work of hospital staff during
the holidays is a reflection of their unwavering commitment to patients and the
community. Whether they’re working through the night or covering a holiday
shift during the day, their efforts ensure the hospital continues to deliver
exceptional care when it’s needed most.
To the nurses, physicians,
technicians, support staff, and everyone keeping CCH running during the holiday
season: thank you. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.
From all of us at CCH, we wish
our community a safe and healthy holiday season and a Happy New Year.