VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Indiana National Guard, in coordination with the Indiana Department of Health, announced Monday it will be helping out Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, Ind. for the next two weeks as a part of its Hospital Recovery Support Teams.
The team of six people will provide 40 work hours per soldier, per week, with the possibility of extended hours. The HRST include 68 combat medic specialists and four general support personnel. The 68 whiskey medics will be providing support in the collection of vital signs, assisting nurses in bedside duties, starting IV’s and other clinical duties, a news release said.
The non-medically trained staff will be assisting in the cleaning of patient rooms, delivering meals to patients, assisting unit clerks, stocking supplies and helping with other general tasks, the National Guard said. National Guard soldiers have undergone necessary training and are fully vaccinated to provide safe patient care.
“We are very appreciative of the INNG and IDOH for their rapid response to our needs,” Adam Thacker, Chief Operating Officer at Good Samaritan, said. “Our leadership team had discussions late last week about this program and they were here this morning at 8 a.m. to help.”
The INNG soldiers will be supporting staff in the Emergency Department, Medical Surgical Unit, Intensive Care Unit and other ancillary services within Good Samaritan, the release said.
“We are so grateful to receive assistance from the Indiana National Guard,” Rachel Spalding, Good Samaritan Chief Nursing Officer, said. “As we are back into the highest peaks we have seen of COVID-19 patients, it means so much to have them here supporting our staff and community. The health care community has been working tirelessly for two years with COVID and these actions remind us we are not alone in this fight.”
INNG will be at Good Samaritan for the next two weeks and could be extended longer depending on the situation
