The NIH Clinical center's north entrance at night.
As the sun sets, the hustle and bustle of thousands of NIH employees working in the NIH Clinical Center may appear to dwindle. But in fact a critical next shift of care providers and administrators step up to serve overnight, in the wee hours of the morning, and on weekends and holidays, charged with, and committed to, ensuring CC patients continue to receive safe, high quality care.
As a tribute to the dedicated staff who ensure there are no "off hours", CC News has provided its cameras to several departments to document their important behind-the-scenes work. On page 4 of the October / November 2017 issue, readers can view photos from the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Nursing Department, Nutrition Department and others.
If a question or issue comes up after the traditional business day, typically a key point of contact is the nursing administrative coordinator. These nurses make rounds on patient units, pharmacy, interventional radiology, work with physicians and report critical lab values. While the nursing administrative coordinators are on the move, the Admissions Department serves as a more permanently placed resource for patients and staff alike as it is open 24/7. There is also always a designated senior hospital administrator on call. The CC's Office of the Deputy Director for Clinical Care recently drafted a policy on 24 hour coverage of CC and institutes and centers essential services to affirm and clarify roles.
"Our job is around the clock care for our patients despite snowstorms, government holidays or three-day-weekends," said CC CEO Dr. James Gilman. "Clinical Center facilities and housekeeping, nutrition and nursing and admissions and many others, combined with our confederate institutes and centers' staff working in Building 10 each play a critical role in patient care and furthering our research mission no matter the hour or day."