College of Health Professions Explores Pandemic’s Impact on the Health-Care System
Experts reflect on critical issues such as employee care and cybersecurity
Sacred Heart University’s College of Health Professions recently brought in three area health-care leaders to discuss what the pandemic has wrought. Their presentation, an installment of the Dean’s Speaker Series, took place at the Center for Healthcare Education building and also was streamed virtually.
Maura Iversen, college dean, introduced the event and the keynote speakers: Anne Diamond, president of Bridgeport Hospital; Paul Possenti, executive director of trauma services, emergency management and EMS at Bridgeport Hospital; and Glynn Stanton, chief security information officer for Yale-New Haven health systems.
The discussion focused on how the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has affected hospitals and health-care systems everywhere. Diamond opened with a presentation on disaster preparedness in hospitals, and Possenti then spoke about the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS). Stanton concluded with information on the critical importance of cybersecurity.
“The evening’s presentations highlighted how thoroughly the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has challenged one of the world’s best health-care systems and emphasized how leadership, constant communication and teamwork can help health-care systems successfully navigate these unforeseen challenges,” Iversen said. “We also heard numerous examples of administrative outreach to provide targeted employee support in response to the pandemic and learned of the importance of continual training and preparation for other natural disasters.”
Diamond reflected on the type of disasters hospitals already had taken into account prior to the pandemic, dividing them into two categories: natural and manmade. Natural disasters include hurricanes, tornadoes, electrical storms, earthquakes, blizzards and wildfires, whereas manmade encompassed terrorism, accidents, fire, electrical interruption, disruption of potable water supply and cyberterrorism, among others.
All three speakers emphasized the importance of keeping an open line of communication with their employees, especially during the unknowns of the pandemic. Hospital officials strived to keep their employees hopeful and sustained through the difficult times, said Diamond. This included providing basic groceries for those who worked overnight shifts, since stores were typically closed when these workers were off the clock.
Possenti explained the crucial work of the HICS that facilitates the emergency management plans throughout the hospital. During the beginning stages of the pandemic and its peak times, this system kept the hospital running in an organized fashion, providing a semblance of stability in the process.
Stanton also discussed cybersecurity in the hospital setting, especially during the pandemic. Cybersecurity is critical for keeping patient records and internal hospital information safe and confidential. In the event of hackers or viruses, it is important to have a strong cybersecurity plan in place to protect confidential information.
Justin Klotz ’20,’23, a student in SHU’s physician assistant studies program, said he had become somewhat disconnected from health-care facilities and their efforts during the pandemic. “It was fascinating to listen to everything that they endured and how they are still so proactive for any future disaster that may occur,” he said. “I think the most interesting part was everything they are doing to ensure employee happiness. With the significant number of health-care employees who are finding new work in this pandemic due to the high stress, it is very important that (administrators) are doing their best to keep most of their staff happy and in good spirits for work.”
Photo caption: Guest speakers Paul Possenti and Anne Diamond, center, with physician assistant studies faculty and students at the Center for Healthcare Education.