Winter storms have impacted the Northeastern region of the country, including the patients and staff at the Short Hills Surgery Center (SHSC) in Millburn, New Jersey. In the midst of a storm this winter, the SHSC staff went above and beyond for its patients and each other.
Due to road conditions, some patients were not picked up until after 10 p.m. The staff sprang into action to make the best of a bad situation, playing board games (courtesy of the PACU manager) and entertaining the patients while they waited.
A half dozen of the staff stayed overnight at the facility due to the treacherous road conditions. As the contracted housekeeping staff could not make it to the center, the team worked together to clean the clinical areas as well as take out the trash and dirty linen. After an uncomfortable night’s sleep, the staff was up early to prepare for the first patients of the day.
To assist the overnighters, a member of the staff brought in hot breakfast sandwiches with bagels, donuts, orange juice and, most importantly, toothbrushes and toothpaste. The center was open and ready for business the next day with all of the staff members in place. Although this was a difficult situation for all, there was good interdepartmental comradery and teamwork to help each other and the center through the storm.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this group of caring and devoted individuals,” said Claudette Fox, SHSC Center Leader.