Fighting Covid-19: The story of Indonesian nurses for hours

Nuraidah, who is studying a master's degree in nursing, decided to postpone her education and return to serving as a nurse when COVID-19 entered Indonesia. Tatang Sutisna, a nurse who is on duty in the operating room now has to adjust to a new situation, accompanying the doctor in the operating room in a full "astronaut" outfit.

She said the nursing profession was "low pay with high risk." Especially during the pandemic when the vulnerability of contracting the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is very high. This did not make the nurses in Indonesia flinch.

These two portraits of nurses cannot represent all circles of nurses, but our stories of adjusting to a pandemic situation we need to hear together.

Indonesian nurses who work to care for COVID-19 patients

Nuraidah has been a nurse for a dozen years. This year, he is continuing his master's degree in nursing at the University of Indonesia.

It should be safe for Nuraidah to be at home to continue her thesis. However, he chose another path. The COVID-19 pandemic is calling for him to postpone education and return to the field.

"I think this is a soul calling," said Nuraidah to Hello Sehat, Sunday (19/4). "Friends in the PPNI (Indonesian National Nurses Association) group discussed the state of their work after this pandemic emerged," he continued.

Among her colleagues at the North Jakarta PPNI, Nuraidah is considered a senior and has become a place for her colleagues to pour out their hearts. He could not bear to hear the increasing need for nurses since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Indonesia.

He then discussed his desire to return to duty at the hospital where he worked, which is one of the referral hospitals for COVID-19 patients. Of course the hospital received it gratefully.

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

1,024,298

Confirmed

831,330

Recovered

28,855

DeathDistribution Map

Those who have a great love for their work know very well why Nuraidah decided to throw herself back in. Dozens of years of working, Nuraidah feel that this is the time when her profession as a nurse is most needed.

“When I help others, I believe God will take care of my family. The important thing is that we have made efforts, ”replied Nuraidah when asked about her concerns over a virus that could potentially infect her family.

Indonesian nurses wear complete PPE for hours

Wearing personal protective equipment is an absolute must, especially for Nuraidah who is directly assigned to the isolation room.

Arriving at the hospital, the nurses changed into their official clothes and then started wearing one by one a suit of personal protective equipment (PPE) consisting of masks, coverall jumpsuit (hazmat suit), gloves, goggles goggles, headgear, and shoes boot rubber. After being ready with the PPE ammunition, the nurse then met the patient.

Each nurse is given the responsibility of treating two patients. The average duration of action is 3-4 hours depending on what needs to be done.

Giving medication, checking the condition, taking care of the patient's personal hygiene, from changing the bed linen to helping with the bath are some of the things that nurses need to do. Because COVID-19 patients are not cared for by their families, nurses must pay extra attention.

During the 3-4 hours, the nurse could not eat, drink, or go to the toilet because the PPE was only used for one time use.

"Anyway, before wearing PPE, we must be ready. Not hungry, not thirsty, and already urinating, ”said Naraidah. This is done by nurses and medical workers in Indonesia who are handling COVID-19 in order to save PPE.

"Of course it's uncomfortable, thirsty, hot. The whole body felt wet with sweat, "he continued.

Meanwhile, Tatang Sutrisna, a nurse in the operating room at Pertamina Hospital, said that the steps to open and remove personal protective equipment (PPE) are much more difficult and risky.

"After being worn, we consider the outside of PPE to be contaminated with the virus, so caution is needed," explained Tatang.

Tatang will first remove the gloves, then throw them in a special trash can. He then cleaned his hands with hand sanitizer. He continued the process by opening the hazmat suit, throwing it in a special trash can, then washing his hands. He then took off the mask and then washed his hands again.

These steps are carried out in a special room. After that, Tatang was required to clean by showering and shampooing before changing his clothes.

Not infrequently when there are patients with emergency conditions, Tatang has to repeat the process of wearing and removing PPE which must be done carefully.

Just for the record, the duration of wearing PPE can be much longer for medical personnel who treat COVID-19 patients in the emergency room (UGD).

The mental fatigue of the COVID-19 nurse must be watched out

"Even though the work is tougher than usual, it seems normal if you are tired because you have been a nurse for a dozen years," said Nuraidah.

Tatang also commented similarly. According to him, the medical personnel's physical fatigue was still acceptable. The difficulty of working with PPE, the difficulty of breathing, and the weight of the head covering must be passed while the brain must remain focused on the work.

"Psychology is what must be considered. It must be continuously maintained so as not to become psychologically exhausted, ”said Tatang.

Both of them did not deny that there was a sense of anxiety and fear of contracting that which would endanger the family at home.

But love for the profession and support from family are the biggest motivations for nurses to stay sane in working to handle COVID-19 patients, until this pandemic disappears from Indonesia.

“I lillahi Ta'ala, the important thing is we have done it. The rest we leave it to Allah alone, because we work with our hearts, "explained Nuraidah.

Nurse safety procedures for handling COVID-19 patients

The effort that Nuraidah means is carrying out security procedures in accordance with standard operating procedures. A series of security rules from going to work, arriving at the hospital, while on duty, finishing duty, and arriving at home must be implemented properly.

Here are the steps for the procedure.

1. Departing from the house wearing a mask. Minimum luggage as possible. Try to avoid public transportation.
2. Until the hospital changes clothes, wear PPE one by one and in order.
3. After being on duty, carry out a series of procedures to remove PPE properly.
4. Take a shower before going home from the hospital, then change clothes.
5. Until the yard, wash your hands. Enter directly into the bathroom without making contact with family members. Put the clothes directly in the washing machine. Shower and shampoo.

"Nurses are the backbone of the health system, we have to make sure they get the support they need to keep the world healthy." Said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

We can help ease the burden on nurses in Indonesia in dealing with COVID-19 patients by doing so social distancing and keep clean. Give support to nurses and other medical personnel by thanking them for their services and donating.