Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia specialty Class of 2022 donates intubation domes to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Md., and St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore.
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Students from the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia specialty Class of 2022 have collected funds to donate intubation domes — Plexiglas barriers used to protect health care providers during the intubation process — to Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in Salisbury, Md., and St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, both clinical rotation sites for the program
Because the Nurse Anesthesia specialty is full time, students have been unable to participate as front-line providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, so they jumped at a chance to contribute to the effort in a way they could. “When I presented the idea to raise funds for the intubation domes during this critical time, there was no hesitation,” says student Alicia Ward, BSN, RN. “Jacqueline Mitchell, our clinical coordinator, was a tremendous help in putting us in touch with hospitals in need.”
Within 48 hours, the class of 28 students raised $400, enough money for two domes, which have already been delivered to the hospitals. With excess funds raised, the group also purchased 10 face shields that will be delivered to the hospitals as soon as they arrive.
The domes were presented specifically to the two hospitals’ nurse anesthesia teams, who are at high risk for exposure to COVID-19 when intubating patients.
“This unselfish act by the students is exemplary and is a method to express their gratitude toward the clinical sites,” says Joseph Pellegrini, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, professor and director of the Nurse Anesthesia specialty. “Our clinical sites provide such vital education to our students and an invaluable service to all of their patient populations, especially in these trying times.”
“We want to help nurse anesthetists feel safer at work and reduce some anxiety during a time where burnout is a serious issue,” says student Jane Priyanka, BSN, RN, CCRN. “This donation displayed our unity as a class and showed that when everyone pitches in a little, we can make a big impact.”