We are asked every week about volunteers returning to service. Everyone misses you. Numbers of COVID-19 cases in SC and in our facilities have dropped, however with upcoming Labor Day gatherings and back-to- school uncertainties, we remain in the wait-and-see stage. Some guidelines are cautiously being modified.

Hospital facilities are now allowing one support person for patients and gradually allowing clinical nursing and medical students to resume their rotations. This does not include student shadowing and volunteer roles yet. Stay tuned. Initial volunteer roles will be limited and will not involve patient contact. We will continue to use this newsletter to keep you in the loop.

Happy Grandparents Day (9/13) to those of you who are blessed with grandchildren. Try to find creative and safe ways to celebrate occasions.

You are invited to stay tuned with Roper St. Francis Healthcare activities through Vital Signs, which is updated daily. Stay home, stay healthy. We love you.

Joan * Lynne * Laurie * Rebecca

Keep Flu Vaccine Documentation Save flu shot documentation. Flu shots are doubly important this year and promoted early. If you get yours, at your MD office of drug store, keep the documentation handy to be recorded when you reactivate for service.

Cards for Patients School of the Arts student Emily Russell dropped of Get Well cards for in-patients during this period when they might not have the usual flow of visitors. Members of the Catholic Student Association at the College of Charleston are working on a similar project.

Support Person for Hospital In-Patients As COVID-19 inpatient numbers decrease, Roper St. Francis Healthcare changed the no visitor policy on 8/26 to allow patients to have one designated support person with them. This does not apply to RSF Physician Partners office visits at this time.

During the period when no support persons were allowed, ICU nurses coordinated a drive for donated iPads so patients could FaceTime with family members.

Current Guidelines at RSFH Things are different for essential workers in the hospital at this time. Guidelines are updated regularly. Many at RSFH are still working from home if their role allows. Others work more privately in their office. There isn’t much socializing with teammates in public areas or the camaraderie at lunch that we enjoyed so much. Here are the current guidelines inside our facilities:

When alone in your office – no mask is needed When more than one person is in an office – wear

your mask In the suite outside your office – wear a mask Do not pull your mask down to talk All teammates and patients must be masked at all

times Remember - hand hygiene, hand hygiene, hand

hygiene! Clean/disinfect high touch areas often Clean/disinfect phone mouthpiece between each

user If you cannot social distance at lunch, stagger your

lunches and eat alone. Make use of outdoor eating,if available.

Cool & Colorful Wheels The RSFH marketing team has been busy updating signs and included colorful wraps for some of our vehicles.

Keep an eye out for our Lifelink ambulances, RSFH Learning Center bus and engineering trucks and vans with their bright purple and red. They can be seen far away and won’t be confused with any other provider.

Connections Newsletter for hospital volunteers, students & friends of Roper St. Francis Healthcare Pandemic Issue September 2020

Happy Pandemic Birthday 9/2 Marlene Williamon 9/6 Lee Moultrie 9/7 Carol Blackwell, Bob Mason 9/8 Betty Sikes 9/12 Lisa Beauford 9/13 Marilyn Mauriello 9/14 Gerald Hogan, Whilhemenia Lewis 9/15 Janice DeMeo 9/16 Colleen Francis Kelly 9/17 Brianna Hardy, Maureen Minaudo, Brian Lamb 9/19 Reedy DeRienzo 9/20 Richard Nadol 9/22 Thomas Wojslawowicz 9/23 Jose Martinez, Marzieh Towle 9/24 Judith Purches 9/26 Louisa Lagno 9/27 Darrell Verdeck 9/28 Olivia Sliker, Michelle Wong 9/29 Patricia Haigler, Karen Cellars, Barbara Portner

News from RSFH Mount Pleasant Hospital

A few RSF Mount Pleasant Hospital volunteers braved a storm and caught up with each other a socially distanced coffee break at Sena Café. Pictured, left to right, Laurie Glass, Noel Johnson, Jim Merryman, Bill Heck and Lauren Sullivan.

Donna Blake dropped by to replenish supplies of mask extenders and masks for teammates. Travelers Donald and Susan West sent greetings from Terra Alta, West Virginia. Carol Diamond donated books for our library shelf, Mary Hritz sent candy treats for staff and Bob Driscoll brought muffins for the outpatient teammates. Thank you for the many ways you have shown support.

Laurie Glass Volunteer Manager, RSFH Mount Pleasant Hospital

It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to Take note of the things you are grateful for,

you begin to lose sight of the things you lack.

Germany Kent

News from Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital

Caring Clown volunteers dropped off snacks and candy treats for staff and couldn’t resist including clown noses and smiley stickers. Shelly O’Neal Willis from Senior Helpers sponsored an ice cream truck for staff which was much appreciated on a hot summer day. Trying to let patients know what their caregiver looked like under their mask and head covering, Joan started making buttons with happy faces on them. Post Anesthesia Care Unit teammates were delighted to receive a batch of Debra McDonald’s famous homemade pepperoni rolls.

It’s been good to see a few of you as you come by for MD visits. Thanks to volunteers who have sent cards for our bulletin boards, dropped off treats for staff and hand made items. It is all so appreciated.

Joan Perry, RSFH Volunteer Director Volunteer Manager, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital

News from Roper Hospital Welcome back Lynne Steele and Judy Blewer, who have both been on leave for the summer. Lynne and Judy will staff the entry screening table at the Doughty St. entrance Monday to Thursday.

Lynne Steele Volunteer Manager, Roper Hospital

News from Berkeley Hospital The popular Tobo Sushi has arrived at Berkeley Hospital! Chef Azelio takes the helm every Thursday and the line soon has up to twenty eager teammates. Who isn’t calmed, especially during a pandemic, by sweets? We look forward to Chef Robert’s 2 p.m. email advising us that “warm cookies are ready!” His giant cookies, pudding or other decadent sweet get us through the day. He sold thirty cookies in five minutes yesterday. You should hear people running past our office! Berkeley Hospital has joined in the quest to nominate a deserving RN for the prestigious Daisy Award. This award was created for J. Patrick Barnes who passed from an autoimmune disease in 1999. His parents appreciated the compassion, dedication and skill nurses brought to their son’s bedside, and created this foundation to honor a deserving nurse chosen for their excellence and compassion. I’m honored to co-chair this for Berkeley Hospital. We have many staff members deserving of recognition. I want to reiterate what Joan said - Berkeley Hospital misses you. I am asked daily about your return. Some roles may change and we may not be able to serve in patient care areas initially but we will be back. Stay safe, and know we love you! Rebecca Buffum Volunteer Manager - RSF Berkeley Hospital

Enjoy a Trip down Volunteer Lane!

Roper St. Francis Healthcare volunteer teams are large and diverse with men and women from 16 to 95 years of age. We often have an international flavor with members from all over the world. Enjoy these pictures from years ago at Roper Hospital. Volunteers typed, offered treats from the gift shop cart, assisted in physical therapy and went on rounds offering to let patients pay an extra charge to activate their television. We’ve come a long way! Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital: Joan Perry: 843-402-1156

Roper Hospital: Lynne Steele: 843-724-2080

RSF Mount Pleasant Hospital: Laurie Glass: 843-606-7502

RSF Berkeley Hospital: Rebecca Buffum

Hospice Volunteering: Laurie Beckman: 843-402-3260

Lowcountry Senior Center: Kimberly Palmer: 843-990-5555

Waring Senior Center: Peggy Chausse: 843-402-1990