CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia National Guard Specialist Ryan Cowan says he never thought he’d find himself in a situation where he would be deployed to a hospital to help with staffing shortages amid a global pandemic.
Cowan said during his training in 2017 his instructors told him “that would never happen.”
“Things have definitely changed since then,” he told MetroNews while reporting for duty Tuesday at Charleston Area Medical Center.
About 25 Guard members will be tasked with administrative work at CAMC such as greeting, COVID-19 testing, sitting with patients and moving patients. As an Army medic, Cowan could also be asked to help with medical care in the Emergency Department.
“I’m actually a EMT. I have that credential on the civilian side, so I hope and I expect that they would ask more of me than just to be a runner. Maybe I’ll take some vitals or be able to assist in movement of a patient,” he said.
Orientation Day included an overview of HIPAA rules, safety procedures and CPR training.
.@WVNationalGuard has arrived at CAMC today to help with staffing shortages brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are 25 members in CPR training this afternoon. More @WVMetroNews. Video credit: WVNG pic.twitter.com/jaaj7iRiJv
— Carrie Hodousek (@CarrieHodousek) January 19, 2022
Cowan said the Guard steps up in times of crisis and that this latest effort is just another example of that.
“Whether it be a flood or a pandemic, I look forward to be able to help my community and those who need help,” he said.
Within the first few hours of being at CAMC, Cowan said hospital staff thanked him and other members for their willingness to provide support.
“It may not seem like too much of what we’re doing, but I think anything to make their work load less strenuous, they’re grateful for it,” he said.
State Adjutant General Maj. Bill Crane said during Tuesday’s coronavirus media briefing there are 15 hospitals that have submitted requests for staffing assistance.
Ruby getting help too
Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown will have 25 Guard members in place by Jan. 25.
Dr. Michael Grace, president of West Virginia University Hospitals, said many staff members are working overtime and need the assistance.
“A lot of people are doing extra shifts and going above and beyond, so the ability to bring in the help of the National Guardsmen will allow us to supplement some of those duties,” Grace said.
Grace said they need help covering a number of areas at the hospital.
“We need help in support services, such as patient transport, environmental services and nutrition services,” Grace said.
Last week, the state Joint Interagency Task Force and coronavirus pandemic leadership received authority to approve staffing requests from West Virginia hospitals.
At the direction of @WVGovernor the @WVNationalGuard is providing support to area hospitals dealing with #COVID surges. As of today, we have received the following support requests & more continue to come in. We continue to train Soldiers & Airmen for this mission. pic.twitter.com/jwW8gsz0VC
— MG Bill Crane (@wvngtag) January 19, 2022
More than 115 Guard members have been trained so far. Crane said they’re training an additional 180 members at Camp Dawson by Jan. 23.
“Once we have them trained up, all of the requests we have so far from the hospitals, we’ll be able to meet those needs,” Crane said.
As many as 350 members will be trained for the mission, if needed.
The Guard arrives at the remaining 14 hospitals on Jan. 25.
COVID hospitalizations in West Virginia remained above 900 on Wednesday. Active cases fell to 15,906, which is down from more than 20,000 earlier this week.