Jennifer Schieler String '11 MSN, CRNA

Nurse Anesthetist
Pennsylvania Hospital for Society Hill Anesthesia Consultants, Philadelphia

April 3, 2020

I am currently filling in for our chief nurse anesthetist in the middle of this COVID-19 eruption. We are working closely with the hospital administration to develop the role for CRNAs and Anesthesiologists during our surge plan. 

I am also helping to establish a COVID anesthesia response team for the hospital- we will respond to Intubations as well as place central lines and arterial lines on COVID patients. 

Things are rapidly evolving and we’re trying to stay on top of them as much as possible. I just took care of the first COVID c section for our facility. The poor mom was anxious but did wonderful. It was terrifying for her to see all of us standing around in our PPE [personal protective equipment], but we talked her through it and reassured her. She did wonderful as did the baby, and we were happy to have it run smoothly. 

Our main goal at this time is to be ready for the surge and to have our role clearly defined so that we can take care of patients and have our skills be utilized appropriately.