In December 2021 the Foundation team spoke with Alanna Rootes-Johnson, a Registered Practical Nurse at the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) about the critical role the Emergency Department (ED) plays in our community.
What role do you play at the BCHS and why are you proud to be part of the BCHS family?
I am a RPN at BCHS in the emergency department. I am proud to be part of the BCHS family for many reasons. Our perseverance over the last two years, community approach to care initiatives and our team orientated approach in the ER. We work as a team and think of each other as family. We come to work knowing that we have a strong team focus! I have been with the BCHS for over 5 years now, I started as a Centralized Resource Nurse working in all departments in the hospital as well as the Willet but now call the ER home. I am proud to work for the ER and look forward to continuing my career within the ER and BCHS.
How is the Emergency Department providing excellent care?
Our team in the ER provides excellent care each and every day. We see everyone at possibly their worst and each one of us try to make that day a little better. Whether it’s putting a smile on their face or easing some uncertainty. I try to keep a positive outlook with a smile on my face. Although they cannot see me smiling I aim to try and stay upbeat and make my patients and their families feel more comfortable!
What are the benefits of having this service in our community?
Our ER is definitely a much needed service in this community. From catching that heart attack or stroke early on or seeing our pediatric community in a timely manner as well. We have a highly skilled team who are always learning and trying new ways to treat more efficiently. We are always gaining new skills to support our growing community!
How have donor dollars impacted the Emergency Department?
Donor dollars are critical to our area because our community is growing! It is not the same population as 20 years ago. Brant county is expanding so our ER has to expand as well. Most people can see that once they walk or roll through the doors. We are seeing higher volumes, higher acuity and with less space. We find ourselves helping patients in hallways to ensure they are seen quickly and sharing equipment among areas to have all the tools we need and sometimes even running to multiple departments to get something our patients need!
How has the Emergency Department provided impactful patient care?
I feel that our area tries to make an impact on all of our patients. We are the front line of the hospital, the first faces you see when you come in, the first contact for family and the first ones to help. We are the group that initiates critical tests and provide the initial critical care our patients need. The whole ER team, from ESAs, pharmacy, doctors, clerks, nurses and many more do our absolute best to make everyone as comfortable as they can be in the time they spend in our department.
Tell us something you don’t think the community knows about the Emergency Department at the BCHS.
I don’t think our community knows the sheer volume and acuity our ER serves. We see similar volumes as Hamilton with less space and resources. Still with that in mind we are the level one facility for mental health, with a number of mental health and addiction services and support. We are also the district stroke center for Brant, Haldimand Norfolk. We have a team dedicated to Stroke services and are trained in the rapid response and early detection of strokes!
