Not All Heroes Wear Stethoscopes: Honoring the Essential Role of Nonclinical Staff

Abstract

Raymond Cipollini, a long-time employee (recently retired) of the maintenance department at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery in East Norriton, Pennsylvania, used to visit patients during his shifts. His fellow staff noted that he would respond to call lights, asking how he could help, with a cheerful demeanor. Raymond often intervened if a patient was restless and pulling at IV lines or needed nurse assistance to get out of bed—potentially preventing falls. The Patient Safety Authority (PSA) named him the winner of its 2017 I AM Patient Safety Award in the category Individual Impact; he was nominated by his colleagues, who had frequently noted lively conversations coming from patient rooms, where he bonded with his “friends” over sports or other shared interests. It is lonely sometimes in those rooms, especially for patients who do not have visitors. “When I stop in, I hope I take their mind off their troubles and make them smile,” he said. These connections attend to patient’s physical safety and emotional well-being. Raymond brought his own perspective to his job and felt empowered to act for the benefit of patients and strengthened the fabric of the organizational culture.