2 minute read
Caregiver spotlight
Long before COVID-19 hit, our infection prevention department was working diligently to maintain a safe hospital environment and played a major role in protecting patients and staff throughout the pandemic. Members of the department include (from left): Selma Babcock; Katie Jones; Leonard De La Cruz, executive director of quality, regulatory and safety; Jennifer Pitt; Michael Guajardo; and Jessica Rosende.
Keeping our community safe.
There is more to providing comprehensive, world-class care than meets the eye. Philanthropic gifts help support our team of dedicated employees working behind the scenes to ensure the care we deliver complies with the highest safety standards. Throughout the pandemic, our infection prevention team has moved mountains to protect patients and staff.
I“ get a lot of satisfaction from keeping everyone as safe as possible,” says Leonard De La Cruz, MPH, executive director of quality, regulatory and safety here, “and I know the rest of the infection prevention team feels the same way.” As part of his responsibilities, Leonard, an epidemiologist, has been leading the hospital’s infection prevention department for five years. This department has always been crucial to our operations. Staff members educate employees across the hospital on best practices for sanitation, hygiene and safety. They also implement strict protocols designed to keep the hospital a pristine environment for patients, and work closely with federal, state and county health agencies to ensure we meet the latest regulations. When COVID-19 reached our community, we were especially grateful to have this team of skilled staff members — which includes five epidemiologists and one project and data analyst — at the ready.
Minimizing risk.
The infection prevention department acted fast. Relying on their expertise and the latest guidelines from entities like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Pasadena Public Health Department, our infection prevention department implemented new policies and procedures to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
The team attacked the problem from many angles. They reconfigured the airflow in our dedicated COVID-19 units. They also streamlined workflows for physicians, nurses and other staff to limit unnecessary contact, and determined the best use of personal protective equipment when supplies were limited. In addition, they developed testing protocols to prevent the spread of the virus within hospital walls. “The team worked hard to figure out how to adjust to protect everyone’s health and safety,” says Leonard.
Leonard is quick to point out though that all hospital employees have helped in the fight against COVID-19. “The entire hospital rose to the challenge,” he says. “It was truly a community-wide effort.”
