In a noteworthy effort to shine light on often-overlooked heroes of the healthcare system, East Carolina University hosted a remarkable interprofessional event over two days in late September. The initiative gathered more than 500 students from various health disciplines to acknowledge and appreciate the indispensable role that housekeepers play in maintaining safety and sanitation in healthcare settings.
A Collaborative Journey Begins
This unique event featured three half-day sessions where students from the Brody School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, and the colleges of Nursing, Allied Health Sciences, and Health and Human Performance gathered to deepen their understanding of all healthcare team members. The focal point was the screening of “Keepers of the House,” a film showcasing testimonials from course-keeping staff at Duke University Hospital. This portrayal set the stage for an engaging panel discussion led by ECU’s Dr. Bhibha Das, ushering students to ask pivotal questions and opening doors to new insights.
The Hidden Guardians of Health
Dr. Das truly captured the essence of the event by emphasizing how the invisible work of housekeepers is crucial in keeping hospital environments not only clean but also safe. Reflecting on her own experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, she drew attention to the immense efforts of housekeepers, who had to physically report to work to ensure safety, highlighting the resilience and dedication they displayed even when online teaching sheltered many others.
“What they do goes beyond cleaning – it’s about creating a healthy environment,” Das remarked.
Learning From Experience
Longtime ECU housekeeper Linda Spell inspired students by sharing her positive approach to her daily responsibilities, and her careful observations led her to reinforce the value of kindness and gratitude. Her interactions turned routine tasks into experiences of connectivity and appreciation, gist-filled lessons Spell graciously shared with attendees.
Our Health Relies on Teamwork
The event taught students like Foster Hager, a first-year occupational therapy student, the value of integrating nontraditional health care workers into patient care plans. Foster remarked, “This experience reminds us of the need to incorporate everyone involved in patient care.”
Cleanliness: A Shared Commitment
Kevin Spencer further reinforced the message with a discussion on the vast responsibilities that come with ensuring safety in a healthcare facility. Eschewing a top-down view of sanitization, he expressed that cleanliness forms part of everyone’s duty and spoke of housekeepers’ role in patient interaction, adding layers of empathy and connection to their tasks.
In a world where safety and healing are paramount, recognizing the critical work of housekeepers remains an important effort, one which ECU has championed with dedication and clarity. As stated in East Carolina University, the initiative is a compelling illustration of how collaboration can nurture enhanced healthcare outcomes by building bridges between all members involved.
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