‘I sense like we are in a war’

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The most up-to-date wave of COVID-19 instances has led to a surge in hospitalizations, compounding what has already been a taxing calendar year for overall health care workers.

Caitlin Thompson, a registered nurse in the intensive care unit at UF Overall health Jacksonville’s North campus, spoke with Information4Jax on Wednesday about what it has been like doing work in the ward.

“I really feel like we are in a war, and that war is not ending whenever before long nonetheless because people aren’t getting vaccinated nonetheless,” she explained.

As of Wednesday, UF Wellness Jacksonville experienced around 134 COVID-19 patients, 41 of whom had been in the ICU. That is up from 60 COVID-19 people, 23 of whom ended up in the ICU, on July 12.

“I don’t consider there are sufficient text to explain what the past two weeks or essentially the final year and a half has been like,” she reported. “We are worn out. We are exhausted as a personnel, as a health treatment facility. Our sufferers are youthful. They are sicker. It’s been wild to say the the very least.”

Advert

UF Health Jacksonville nurse sheds light on latest COVID-19 wave
UF Health and fitness Jacksonville nurse sheds light-weight on most up-to-date COVID-19 wave

Her colleague — nurse practitioner Annette Wall, who presents special solutions for those in the ICU — agreed.

“The ordinary ages feel to be more youthful. These individuals feel to be in our intense treatment device a bit lengthier,” Wall said. “These people today are in the key of their lifestyle. These are hearty, nutritious people today. I have people that are indicating, ‘I just did not assume I would get that sick due to the fact I’m healthier.’ You are right up until you capture COVID.”

James Owen echoed that perception. As of Wednesday, the 41-yr-old Navy veteran had been in the ICU at the North campus for nearly a week and was nonetheless preventing to get greater. From his clinic bed, he advised Information4Jax how he finished up there.

UF Health Jacksonville nurse on working in ICU amid COVID surge: ‘I feel like we are in a war’
UF Wellbeing Jacksonville nurse on doing the job in ICU amid COVID surge: ‘I come to feel like we are in a war’

“We experienced a Fourth of July bash. On the 5th, I received unwell,” he stated. “At first I thought I could get treatment of it myself at the residence. I was unfortunately mistaken and it landed me listed here.”

He claimed his spouse is also sick but not hospitalized.

“I am carrying out significantly greater now,” Owen reported. “It’s been a rough street, but we are receiving there.”

Ad

Owen explained he’s grateful to the staff members who he believes have long gone out of their way to enable him.

“Thanks all over again to the team of nurses and clinical team,” Owen stated.

He explained he wasn’t vaccinated versus COVID-19, and he shared a message for other people who haven’t gotten the shot.

“For you, for your cherished types, get vaccinated. I’m employed to currently being the powerful protector and it definitely broke me down. I am incredibly humbled. This virus is nothing to joke about,” he said. “After what I’ve been via, I’m undoubtedly heading to get it as shortly as I’m cleared.”

Thompson, who has been doing the job with Owen, also inspired folks to get vaccinated.

“My information: Do your schooling and discover and in the long run get vaccinated,” she mentioned. “Vaccination is crucial and seeking to minimize this ridiculous pandemic and this surge that we are looking at.”

Thompson explained that correct now, COVID-19 sufferers who make it out of the ICU continue to encounter lingering impacts.

Ad

“If they do make it out, it’s with lengthy-time period consequences of the ailment or some people possessing to go home on oxygen,” Thompson mentioned. “People possessing to go on to extended-phrase treatment amenities just to get their strength back again, and those that do go residence in the long term could see other very long-term outcomes.”

Registered nurse Carson Griego, who functions on a distinctive COVID-19 ward, said some of his youthful pals have not been vaccinated and he tells them the story of a single affected person who, however, died.

“He said, ‘I wish I acquired vaccinated. I would like I experienced took this all severely,’” Griego explained.

Employees users stated those people who are not vaccinated are the kinds now getting pretty sick and they hope that exhibiting what’s going on at the clinic will carry about some change and guide to extra persons having vaccinated.

“I surely believe there is a disconnect with people below on the outside the house and what we see on the inside,” reported Chad Neilsen, UF Wellbeing Jacksonville director of accreditation and an infection prevention. “So we’re seeking to stage up and use our microphone and say we are the types viewing this hea
ding on real-time, please get vaccinated.”

Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax – All rights reserved.