TEANECK, N.J. (PRWEB)
August 10, 2020

This hospital is different, this solution to staffing during COVID is different, and that is why they are a great fit. COVID-19 created a myriad of challenges for even the most well-prepared health systems, and attracting, retaining and protecting enough highly trained staff is key among them. Holy Name Medical Center is the first hospital in the nation to partner with Connected Covid, a platform that connects medical professionals with hospitals that may need them during a crisis.

Holy Name knows what the COVID pandemic can do to strain a healthcare system, as one of the major sites delivering patient care for the NYC region during the first surge. They cared for nearly 10,000 patients, and at peak, had 250 patients with COVID hospitalized. True to their mission of caring for patients and for their community, they adapted and overcame. But while the situation in their region has improved, they are not missing any opportunity to prepare for what may come next.

Connected Covid is a not-for-profit platform developed by a team of volunteers, who were inspired to action after one of their own – a licensed RN with ICU experience – had unexpected challenges in offering to volunteer. “It just did not make sense that someone with the ideal skill set could not get even an email reply from hospitals or medical reserve corps at a time when the governors were on television begging for clinicians, and hospitals were recruiting on Facebook,” noted Josh Goldsmith, one of the early team members.

What the Connected Covid team quickly realized is that hospitals were faced with an unprecedented staffing crisis and simply didn’t have the tools they needed to source non-traditional candidates. These candidates, often carrying a current medical license, were working in the medical device or pharmaceutical industry, staying home with kids, or recently retired.

“There are incredibly talented people literally begging to help,” said Brandon Proctor who leads site development for Connected Covid. “Through interviews we knew these clinicians were out there, they wanted to show up and help in any way they could, but they were not necessarily looking for a full or even part time hospital job so they simply didn’t fit in the hospital recruiting process.” They also did not necessarily want to work with medical recruiters, who can be persistent and charge hefty fees to the hospital.

The Connected Covid team engaged early with Holy Name, thanks to the vision and support of Dr. Adam Jarrett, executive vice president and chief medical officer at Holy Name. “The traditional staffing resources were challenged by Covid. In this platform we saw an opportunity to build for the future,” said Dr. Jarrett. “Innovation is core to the mission of the Holy Name andwe have to stand willing to challenge the status quo to look for improvement opportunities. Connected Covid is a completely new channel that makes it easy for us to connect with the incredible nurses, doctors, and therapists in our own community and across the country that have selflessly offered to lend their expertise.”

“The site has robust security features, but streamlined so the application can be completed in less than 10 minutes, on a mobile device. The volunteer can customize their availability to specific shifts or specific hospitals but can also choose to be available for nationwide crisis deployments,” noted Proctor.

To note, the site uses the term “medical volunteer” but welcomes both paid and unpaid professionals.

“Connected Covid is not a staffing site, it’s a national level medical reserve full of incredible clinicians that want to step up and help during a crisis,” noted Goldsmith.

“This platform augments our talent strategy and we are excited to pioneer a resource that will benefit patients and provide reserves to support our amazing front line providers if a crisis were to occur,” noted Michele Acito, DNP, NP, NE-BC, executive vice president and chief nursing officer at Holy Name.

Medical volunteers are encouraged to sign up at http://www.connectedcovid.com and select Holy Name as a favorite hospital, in their profile.

To learn more visit http://www.connectedcovid.com.

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