When you arrive at a hospital needing an EKG, mammogram, bloodwork or procedure,
you might be apprehensive, especially during a pandemic. If the first
face you see is friendly, maybe you’ll feel a little less anxious.
As registrars in the Southeast Georgia Health System Outpatient Care Center,
Angel Dixon and Warrine Sloan are productivity superstars. They gather
information on dozens of patients who number among several hundred that
come through the Center each day. “If we are short staffed on any
given day, they both contribute in reducing our patient registration wait
times because of their speed and knowledge,” says Carla Lee, director
of Patient Access.
Registering patients for their procedure, confirming patient information
and directing them to the correct hospital department are just a few aspects
of a registrar’s job. Dixon and Sloan are the first encounter most
people have with the Health System. They set the tone for the entire patient
experience. Getting each person off to a good start is essential, regardless
of how long or stressful the day has been.
Seeing Patients as People
Dealing with the public at their most vulnerable moments requires patience
and professionalism. Fortunately, both women draw on a deep love of service.
“My mother died when I was 15. I remembered all the nice nurses
who helped her, my sister and me. I knew then I wanted to help others,”
Dixon says. “I feel each person out when they arrive. I treat each
person differently and try to assist them the best way I can.”
Likewise, Sloan knows she is in the right place to be able to give back
to people. She recalls a time when she reassured a nervous patient. “I
calmed her down and tried to answer her many questions. Every person,
every experience, is different, but this profession is rewarding because
we get patients the help they need.”
Volunteering for the Frontlines
A willingness to pitch in was crucial when the pandemic broke out. Lee
reflects on her employees’ contributions. “Around mid-March,
the Emergency Care Center (ECC) had an immediate need for staff to cover
the check-in desk so that their technicians could screen and triage patients
for COVID-19. Angel and Warrine volunteered to work in the ECC each week.
This meant working longer shifts, every other weekend, night shifts and
possible direct exposure to the virus. They provided the extra support
needed by the ECC team from Mid-March until Mid-May and never complained.”
Dixon didn’t give it a second thought. “I didn’t think
too much about getting the virus. It goes back to helping others and going
wherever I’m needed.” Since she was younger and lower risk
than some of her co-workers, Dixon wanted to help keep them safe. While
Sloan acknowledges that working under the threat of coronavirus is stressful
and requires constant vigilance, she also believes it’s important
to do her part.
To support your community hospital during the COVID-19 crisis, please consider
donating to the Southeast Georgia Health System Foundation. To learn more,
call 912-466-3360.