Implementing a Virtual Team Model in the Acute Care Setting.

Health care has forever changed in early 2021. Three years after the beginning of the COVID-19 world pandemic, we must seriously look at the role of the nurses and the model we deploy to ensure our health system's viability. In this article, the authors offer insights into the journey of deconstructing the nurses' role and planning for a Co-Caring Model where virtual and bedside nurses practice and unlicensed assisting personnel work as a team to care for those in need of health care. We also provide a list of actions for nurse leaders to consider. Finally, we aim to spark an international conversation on how we can bring back the joy of practice to ensure we create the best possible places to give and get care.

Novel manufacturing of simple masks in response to international shortages: Bacterial and particulate filtration efficiency testing.

Many healthcare systems have been forced to outsource simple mask production due to international shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Providence created simple masks using surgical wrap and submitted samples to an environmental lab for bacterial filtration efficiency testing. Bacterial filtration efficiency rates ranged from 83.0% to 98.1% depending on specific material and ply, and particular filtration efficiency rates ranged from 92.3% to 97.7%. Based on mask configuration, specific surgical wrap selected, and ply, the recommended filtration efficiency for isolation and surgical masks of 95% and 98%, respectively can be achieved. These alternative masks can allow for similar coverage and safety when hospital-grade isolation masks are in short supply.