|
 Abigail Skerritt-Jones, PA(ASCP)CM
AAPA member since 2010
“My new normal is making a trip to the Central Sterile Department at the beginning and end of every day to collect and drop off my N-95 masks. Two weeks before the Surgeon General decided to recommend everyone wear masks, even homemade ones, I was wearing my N-95 all day at work, and homemade masks to enter and leave the hospital. I did not want to be accused of using hospital supplies unnecessarily, and I certainly didn’t want to take work masks home.
 I approached the Central Sterile Department about the Duke Health article I read on the Facebook PA group about using hydrogen peroxide to decontaminate my mask. Though the manager had heard about it and planned on using the procedure, they still had not written an official policy – I was the first person to request it. They gave me my own personal sterilization container. I thought I could bring in a week’s worth at a time, but the manager recommended daily cleaning, thus my new normal routine.
 The first day, I experienced watery eyes and a runny nose and had to change to a new mask. I gave that feedback to the department. The first adjustment was to try alternating masks with a one day airing-out process (which decreased my symptoms but not completely and comfortably). Finally, they decided to use a Tyvek Pouch, which allows for more aeration following the decontamination. Since then I’ve had no issues with the mask.
Other challenges I’ve faced have been feeling out of breath due to wearing the mask all day and dictating. Of course, there have been a few issues with transcription due to my somewhat muffled speech; I imagine Dragon users would have this problem too.
Personal challenges have been not being able to run home with hugs and kisses to greet my family. What I have done instead is let my son hide while I head straight to the shower, then I make a big deal about finding him and showering him with hugs and kisses (even though he hides in a combination of three or four spots).
Overall, I am grateful to still have a job and good health, and I hope our PA community and their families stay safe in these challenging times. “
We want to hear from you! During this time of isolation, now more than ever we need to see and hear from our PA community! How is COVID-19 affecting your work? What tips and tricks have you found useful? How are you using this time to promote pathologists’ assistants and prepare for PA Day? Send us a summary describing your “new normal”, along with one or two high-resolution photos, and your story may be featured next. Or, if you have any COVID-19 resources to add to our list, please pass them along. Remember, we are all in this together, and the AAPA will be here to support you throughout this crisis and beyond.
|
