Covid-19: How are things in Radiology?

Zone 3 Podcast

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1_Xeafoer4

In this episode of the Zone 3 Podcast, hosts Robert and Reggie talk with their friend (and Robert’s coworker!) Chad, a Phoenix-based RN with over 12 years of experience. Chad shares his background, touching on his journey to working with transplant patients, his time as a travel nurse, and his current work in radiology. From there, Robert and Reggie move into the main topics they want to address in the episode: infection control, isolation precautions, and tips to stay safe from COVID-19.

After briefly talking about what COVID-19 actually is, they turn to a discussion of what the experience of working in a hospital is like right now. There are thorough screening measures to detect fevers, requirements for mask usage, constantly evolving policies, and a pervasive somber mood. There’s more stress than usual evident among healthcare workers, as well. For Reggie, this includes his personal fear about how the pandemic will impact generations to come. He is the only one of the three who has had to be tested for coronavirus because of new policies in place, but all three see major shifts in hospital life for patients and healthcare workers alike.

Another main topic of discussion is the way in which hospital staff work to stay healthy and prevent disease spread while on the job. Robert, Reggie, and Chad talk about isolation levels, going into detail about the safety rules required by each. They clarify how the N-95 mask compares to other masks, consider the current lack of necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), describe proper donning and doffing procedures in general and under pandemic restrictions, and share how to best wash hands. They provide videos and images (available for access below) to demonstrate safety content.

Finally, Robert and Reggie want listeners to know how best to care for their health in this time: mainly, follow CDC guidelines and try not to stress too much! And as a parting point, Chad talks about the satisfaction of a patient’s “lightbulb” moment in his life as a nurse.

Links and Images:

Hand washing Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PmVJQUCm4E

Donning and Doffing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCzwH7d4Ags

NasoPharyngeal swab: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syXd7kgLSN8

CDC Facial and mask chart: https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2017/11/02/noshave/