Honoring The Nurses Who Seve

KINGMAN, AZ, UNITED STATES

03.10.2021

Story by Spc. Joseph Knoch 

Defense Department Support to FEMA COVID-19       

KINGMAN, Ariz. -- When medical providers were called into action at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, few realized how long the coronavirus war would be. Registered nurses nationwide know firsthand the difficulties of high patient-to-nurse ratios, and for many, those ratios left a lingering question. Has 2020 won?

“We were at a six-to-one patient-to-nurse ratio when we were busy through COVID,” said Kristin Witt, Registered Nurse at Kingman Regional Medical Center, in Kingman, Arizona. “I've stayed at five to one thanks to the support.”

The U.S. Army North Task Force 46 is currently deployed for Defense Support to Civil Authorities in partnership with FEMA to bring a six-to-one patient-to-nurse ratio down at KRMC, March of 2021.

“It's exciting to be a part of the community and give support by bringing forth my experience as a nurse,” said 1st Lt. Cruz Williamson, assigned to U.S. Army North Task Force 46.

The Task Force comprises nineteen U.S. Air Force nurses from Joint Base San Antonio. These Airmen are serving alongside the RNs at KRMC, holding the line to lower the patient-to-nurse ratios.

“It means a lot to receive support from these Airmen. We are all really tired,” Witt said. “I think they are fabulous. The nurses I work with are a joy.”

The daily schedules of these Airmen vary in some cases. With them performing similar duties to those they perform at Joint Base San Antonio, while for others, the workflow is different.

“My work schedule is the same here as it is at JBSA,” said Capt. Heber Hoil, U.S. Army North Task Force 46. “I work the night shift, three to four days a week, 12-hour shifts.”

Williamson, on the other hand, is experiencing a break in her routine.

“My day-to-day schedule at Joint Base San Antonio is very engaging and differs from my current situation,” Williamson said. “I work in a 30-bed unit as the Charge Nurse for 2W, which is a surgical telemetry unit. I am responsible for the overall patient care and outcome for the whole unit.”

Both Airmen agree that they feel well prepared for the mission. Their main challenges when preparing and arriving at KRMC were the classical difficulties of quick adaptation to a new team and hospital.

“Before joining the military, I worked on the civilian side of nursing for two years,” Hoil said. “I know what kind of environment in which they work. The only challenge I see here is that we've had to learn how to chart in a different computer program within only two to three hours of practice.”

Hoil shared that every Airman who deployed here has learned the new system with enough ease to integrate well in less than a week.

“I have the type of personality that adapts easily to my environment,” Hoil said. “I have worked easily with the KRMC nurses and doctors, understanding their own set of processes, rules, and regulations.”

Hoil’s point of support given to the providers on the front line strikes a familiar tone in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. His testimony echoes those who serve in opposition to the invisible enemy.

“We also have our leaders in San Antonio and other bases we came from, who stay in contact with us daily,” Hoil said. “They are constantly available to help us with anything from family to mission readiness.”

Witt highlighted how much it means to have U.S. Army Task Force 46 supporting KRMC, noting that patient-to-nurse ratios are average again.

“Everyone on floor 2E has helped me to adapt and work proficiently," Williamson said. "I feel helpful just by being here to give the support KRMC needs.”

• Date Taken: 03.10.2021
• Date Posted: 04.09.2021 17:06
• Story ID: 391653
• Location: KINGMAN, AZ, US