title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE EXTRAORDINARY WORK AND COMPASSIONATE COMMITMENT OF SWEDISH HOSPITAL DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
WHEREAS our local community has relied on our hospitals, doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS Swedish Hospital, a non-for-profit teaching hospital located on the north side of Chicago in District 12 of Cook County, has worked tirelessly to respond the many needs of our community; and
WHEREAS Swedish Hospital took proactive strategic moves to address the needs of our community by establishing a dedicated COVID-19 clinic next to the emergency room to avoid unnecessary cross-contamination and resulting hospitalizations. Swedish Hospital converted its physical therapy clinic and Life Center into testing clinics; and
WHEREAS Swedish Hospital converted its Galter Life Center parking lot to a safe and efficient drive through testing site, offering testing instructions in over 10 different languages. Since March, Swedish Hospital has worked overtime, conducting over 17,000 tests at the drive through tent which saw a positivity rate of 33% in the tested community; and
WHEREAS the work of Swedish Hospital did not stop at the doors of the hospital. Swedish Hospital supported its outpatient community by issuing pulse oximeters to patients for home use and compassionately checking in daily with their patients. It used creativity to launch a telehealth program to care for the community’s needs in a virtual space. Swedish Hospital created multi-lingual materials to access and notify a diverse local community of the threat of COVID-19, how to prevent COVID-19 and next steps to take after being tested for COVID-19. During the first COVID-19 surge, Swedish Hospital closed its medical fitness facility and offered free virtual classes to the entire community to keep them mentally and physically engaged and to relieve stress. Swedish Hospital’s health psychology team also provided virtual sessions to address the stress and anxiety arising during the pandemic. This program was specifically targeted at area schools, businesses and community groups; and
WHEREAS Swedish Hospital went above and beyond routine care in its education of the local community on COVID-19. Beginning on March 13th, Swedish hospital developed a multi-channel communications strategy that drove community stakeholders to a hub of relevant and evolving information on swedishcovenant.org/covid. Swedish Hospital dedicated its marketing staff to notify and educate our community through online seminars and 132 social posts related to COVID-19 on its Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Swedish Hospital also launched a Safety Ambassador toolkit. The toolkit allowed community members to download images and infographics to encourage family and friends to Mask Up, Wash Up and Back Up. Additionally, Swedish Hospital spearheaded an effort requesting community members sign a COVID-19 Safety Promise. This promise served as a symbolic commitment to follow key safety guidelines for the health of the entire community; and
WHEREAS Swedish Hospital distributed educational materials about COVID-19 on a regular basis to its service territory that includes 11 Chicago Wards. The Swedish Hospital Emergency Department Residents visited essential, local businesses to share COVID-19 updates, including safety guidelines and testing resources. Swedish Hospital provided online educational sessions focused on COVID updates for surrounding aldermanic wards, community groups and other local stakeholders. These sessions were led by physician leaders who were instrumental in the COVID-19 response; and
WHEREAS Swedish Hospital staff remained flexible and extraordinarily diligent throughout the pandemic. When day-to-day operations were reduced, staff was cross trained and reallocated to support COVID-19 related services. Everyone from therapists, surgical technicians and nurses volunteered for assignments outside their usual scope of work. Clinical staff from all areas of the hospital were given new assignments and took on new roles. Through team nursing and the redeployment of many physicians and advance care providers, Swedish Hospital was able to safely increase its critical care capacity by an amazing 170%; and
WHEREAS Swedish Hospital admitted 1,270 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 positive patients from March through December 14th. Every unit of the hospital cared for a high volume of COVID-19 patients, with many units operating at full capacity, solely caring for COVID-19 patients; and
WHEREAS the Swedish Hospital administration identified ways to boost employee morale with motivational signage and expressions of gratitude in unconventional ways. The hospital opened Galter Life Center as a place of respite for hospital front line workers to de-stress before, after, and in between shifts. The Center provided showers, quiet areas for reflection and meditation, and acupuncture to staff members; and
WHEREAS Swedish Hospital instituted contact tracing independently, later partnering with Cook County Department of Public Health to trace COVID-19 cases. Swedish Hospital hired a full-time contract tracing team to identify those exposed to COVID-19 and encourage testing, and to continue educating the community; and
WHEREAS, as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to climb, Swedish Hospital continues to provide updates and resources to local leaders, stakeholders and elected officials to share with the community and their constituents. Swedish Hospital is also preparing education on the COVID-19 vaccine.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognizes the outstanding work of Swedish Hospital in its compassionate care for COVID-19 patients, providing testing and expanding its hours when the need outpaced the planned response, educating the community, and supporting their employees. Swedish Hospital’s dedicated, thorough and analytical response to the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly reduced the overall number of COVID-19 cases, saving lives in our local community. As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout our community, we remember with gratitude the sacrifices our healthcare professionals at Swedish Hospital are making every day.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Swedish Hospital to recognize its tireless work, staunch commitment, unwavering dedication, and compassionate care in the face of this global pandemic.
end