And that's some pretty sobering
information about our children.
So thank you for bringing that forward.
And I also thank all of you for joining
us for this virtual media briefing today.
My name is Sharon Pappas and I have
the privilege of serving as the Chief
Nurse executive for Emory Healthcare.
I also had the opportunity to present
to the Community when our respective
healthcare systems came together
to address the COVID-19 surge in
the importance of vaccinations.
In August of 2021,
almost five months ago to the day.
Unfortunately,
today I'm sharing a similar message,
one that I cannot stress enough.
As we mark nearly two years of the
COVID-19 pandemic and the 5th surge,
hospitals continue to remain overwhelmed
with patients in the metro Atlanta area.
At Emory,
we are seeing not only a high volume of
COVID-19 patients who are unvaccinated,
but also a number of other patients
who are coming in for many types
of care surgeries or emergencies,
and some of these patients may
also test positive for COVID and
need additional care for that.
Like other hospitals throughout
Metro Atlanta and around the state,
emergency departments remain busy
for urgent and non urgent situations
and wait times can be long.
While our health systems have best
practices in place to provide high
quality patient care and manage
capacities at our health systems
are stressed.
And our health care teams are stretched.
When I talk with our nursing team
here at Emory and I walked the
hallways of our hospitals and clinics,
eyewitness incredible courage,
creativity and and just excellent
care being provided to our patients.
I also hear the frustration and
our nurses voices and I see it in
their faces frustration when they
cannot provide the critical care to
patients that they need in order
to meet the patient's every need.
I hear and see frustration when
our care team members have to
restrict visitors and deny access
to the patients loved ones due
to the increased COVID protocols.
I hear and see the frustration
when our care team members face
anger and verbal criticism from
those we provide care to.
While we understand that everyone is
stressed by the extra restrictions and
increased wait times due to the pandemic,
it is still difficult to be on the
receiving end of that behavior.
I see and hear a mix of frustration
and compassion when our care
team members have to work extra
shifts when they're tired.
Because other care team members have
fallen ill with COVID themselves.
As I referenced in August,
staffing shortages throughout
healthcare remain a concern.
We are seeing many nurses and
clinicians leave the profession,
our pause their careers because of
the stress the pandemic has caused
most personally and professionally
decreases in staffing directly
correlate to our ability to provide
access to care for the many patients
and families who depend on US daily.
Our hospitals are doing all we
can to bring in additional staff
everywhere we need it.
We need everyone.
To do their part in the fight against
COVID-19 and keep critical health
services available to those who need
it most to keep emergency departments
available to individuals who have
the most critical health needs,
individuals should obtain care at the
most appropriate medical facility for
their condition and seek COVID-19
testing at primary care locations.
Public health and mass testing
sites are used in home testing kits.
Please remember that emergency department.
Are for those seeking examination and
treatment for medical emergencies,
not for routine COVID testing
or even mild symptoms.
Use use at the home testing kits.
Public health testing locations are
independent testing facilities.
If you need to be tested for COVID-19,
that is unless you're ill and need
medical care for routine COVID-19 tests,
you can find a location near you on the
Georgia Department of Public Health website.
Or go online to order free at
home testing kits at usps.com.
Please also anticipate increased wait
times for medical services due to
the influx of patients and increased
demands placed on our health care workforce.
We ask everyone who enters our
facilities to practice patience and
kindness with each other and with
our care team members who are
providing expert compassionate care.
Thank you for your time today.
Emory Healthcare's top priority,
like all of my colleagues here,
is to provide safe quality care and
treatment to all of our patients.
We're grateful to our many care teams.
And clinicians who continue to stand
strong and fight this battle with
strength determination and grace.
Again,
thank you for being here and now
I'll turn it over to Doctor Morgan.