| dc.description.abstract | The COVID-19 pandemic created chaos and communication challenges in Emergency Departments worldwide. As the primary entry point for COVID-19 patients, emergency departments found themselves on the frontline of a rapidly changing crisis. COVID-19 patients quickly replaced and dominated usual emergency department admissions mandating major adaptations in processes and procedures. This investigation was motivated by practical concerns at the University of Illinois Health System Emergency Department (the UI Health Emergency Department). During the COVID-19 pandemic, unit leaders were challenged to develop effective communication strategies that kept staff abreast of rapidly changing information and guided behavior changes. Before developing a strategy to initiate change, however, the leadership team needed to understand which communication strategies were used, the staff member perceptions of those methods, and how staff resilience levels could inform their future communication plans. A mixed-method investigation was conducted, revealing top methods used, preferred methods, and identifying confident sense-making as a resilience strength. Six recommendations detail areas of opportunity for the organization as they plan for subsequent communication strategies in times of crisis or uncertainty. | en_US |
