Assisting COVID-19 Patients at Revere Isolation Hotel

Amidst all the pain and suffering and anxiety and uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic, it was a little gesture, a simple understanding of a culture at the Revere/Chelsea Quality Inn, that hit home for Jordana Dalila Baez.

“Many of the residents of the communities that we are serving have a Hispanic background, so the staff has successfully advocated for the purchase of chamomile tea, known in Spanish as té de manzanilla, and vapor rub, known as mentol, which are common in many Hispanic households during times of sickness,” said Baez, a first-year student in the MGH Institute’s Master of Science in Nursing program. “As a Hispanic, I really appreciated seeing this; it may seem like a small detail, but to me it was such a display of thoughtfulness particularly during a time in which we are experiencing so much turmoil.”

Baez, who also has acted as an interpreter with patients, is among several nurse practitioner and physician assistant studies students, faculty, and alumni who have volunteered at the COVID isolation hotel. The facility has 147 rooms for people in Chelsea, Revere, and other surrounding cities who have the coronavirus but cannot live at home in isolation.

“These patients live in small homes, often with many family members, and would be at risk of transmitting the virus to their loved ones,” said Joseph Gustin, a 2016 graduate of the Master of Science in Nursing program, who was redeployed from his job on the addiction consult team in the Massachusetts General Hospital Emergency Department. “It’s been great to work with nurses, social workers, case managers, project managers, interpreters, and medical directors from all different areas.”

The hotel is performing initial medical admissions and providing acute and chronic medical care as needed throughout their stay, said Josh Merson, an assistant professor of physician assistant studies who is working with PA students. It includes vital sign monitoring, symptom checks to monitor for advancing illness, meals, laundry, and other social services.

“Being a pop-up and support setting for these patients, we are adjusting constantly to meet their needs and ensure their safety,” said Meagan Murtagh, a second-year PA student. “Everyone is helping wherever they are needed, whether that means filling intake forms, establishing communication forums between team members, delivering meals to patients, patient care, or any of the day-to-day necessities.”

“The hard work of everyone involved in setting up and running this hotel is truly commendable,” noted Jordyn Durkin, Murtagh’s PA classmate. “I’m honored to be a part of it and to be able use my skills and knowledge from attending the IHP to support and care for our patients at the hotel. I can’t put into words the impact this amazing experience has had on me and the type of health care provider I hope to become.”

Elissa Ladd, a professor of nursing, said she has been impressed with the holistic care delivered by nurse practitioner faculty, students, and alumni. “This approach really addresses the health, social, and economic needs of the patients,” said Dr. Ladd, who along with assistant professor of nursing Antonia Makowski, has been working with the school’s NP students alongside nurses from Mass. General. 

Murtagh said she has learned a lot working with Merson, her faculty member, in a non-academic setting. “To see him outside of his instructor role, and to assist him in his clinical role, has been such an amazing learning experience,” Murtagh said. “He is able to evaluate the application of my classroom knowledge and skills as I meet and examine patients. It is a rewarding learning opportunity to be able to work with him in such a unique setting.”

“This is what we have prepared for,” she added. “Our studying and training are all about ultimately having the skills and compassion to help people.”

Other members of the IHP community working at the hotel include Instructor of Physician Assistant Studies Meaghan Clapp, and Class of 2020 nurse practitioner students Elizabeth Adami, Albert Alba, and Elena Gomez. Also working there are Mass. General nurse practitioners Julia Miles, MSN ’17, and Kathleen Fitch, MSN ’01.