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Phone chargers are unlikely to be on the minds of patients heading to the Emergency Department (ED) for urgent care, or on the minds of families rushing there to see loved ones. But once in the ED, patients and families are often at a loss for how to update loved ones and maintain connections if the
ir cell phone batteries die, which can cause anxiety in an already stressful situation.
Now, thanks to Earlon Smith, office manager in the BWH Tissue Typing Lab, and ED leadership, cell phone chargers are readily available for patients and families in this situation.
Smith realized just how much anxiety this situation can cause while he was visiting a friend in BWH's ED in November, and her phone battery lost its charge. Smith was able to borrow a charger from a colleague to loan to his friend that day, but he decided to share a suggestion for offering phone chargers in the ED with BWH President Betsy Nabel, MD, via AskDrNabel@partners.org, an email address where employees can send ideas, suggestions and questions.
Nabel shared Smith's idea with Jenny Andrews, operations supervisor for Emergency Medicine, who loved the suggestion and brought it to fruition. Today, cell phone batteries are brought back to life via universal charging stations in the ED, per Smith's thoughtful suggestion. And per Nabel's suggestion, Smith is now one of the many employees featured in the Brigham Way campaign seen on PikeNotes and Community Connects television screens around campus.
Do you know someone who exemplifies the Brigham Way? Email TheBrighamWay@partners.org, and tell us how he or she helps make BWH a better place to work, visit and receive care.