Environmental services: Beyond the bedside

Batrou Doumbia has spent the last two years working in Environmental Services at HCA Healthcare-HealthONE’s Sky Ridge Medical Center – but her contribution to Sky Ridge goes beyond cleaning patient rooms or delivering linens. She makes personal connections with patients and their loved ones and is a true care giver.

Batrou’s colleagues often witness her compassion in action. “She really goes above and beyond when it comes to patient care… she gets to know the patients and will get water for them or small things like that, that is above and beyond her job description,” says RaeAnn Raisor, RN. “It is always a pleasure working with her.”

When a mother was struggling to accept her 35-year-old daughter’s diagnosis, Batrou hugged her, comforted her, and offered her support.

When a patient was being transitioned to inpatient hospice after months of treatment, the family sought out Batrou because the patient had developed a special relationship with her and they wanted to make sure she knew. Batrou came to visit the patient after her shift, and held her hand and cried. Their special bond meant so much to the patient’s family.

“Although she is not providing primary care to patients, she gives herself and her heart in her interactions,” says Maggie Beemer, clinical nurse consultant on Batrou’s floor at Sky Ridge. “We serve a population that often has long stays or frequent readmissions, and her engagement has impacted our patients and staff in a way that not many have.”

Batrou says she likes her job because of all the different people she gets to see every day. She says she likes to help everybody. It’s clear that her willingness to connect with people is making a big impact on many lives.

“Some patients are very sick,” she says. “When I go to their room and ask them ‘How are you feeling today?’ they will ask me to pray for them and I say, ‘Yes I will pray for you.’ I do that for them.” Patients are so grateful for Batrou’s attention and kindness.

Department Director Rachel Suazo praises Batrou for “[embodying] what we want in all of our staff connecting with patients during difficult times. It is individuals like Batrou that make all the difference.”

When patients enter a hospital, they encounter many individuals, from the valet to the registration desk, to clinicians and housekeeping. Each interaction is an opportunity to offer compassion and care. For Batrou, it comes naturally.

In 2018, HCA Healthcare celebrates the company’s first 50 years of compassionate care and the people of HCA Healthcare who work together to help improve lives and make history. This blog is an installment in the People of HCA Healthcare series that highlights some of our company’s finest as a way to acknowledge all who make this company great.

HCA Healthcare 50th Anniversary
In 1968, HCA Healthcare was conceived by two physicians and an accomplished business leader — Dr. Thomas Frist Sr., Dr. Thomas Frist Jr., and Jack Massey. This year, HCA Healthcare celebrates its golden anniversary and the culture of caring established by our three founders 50 years ago. To help us celebrate our 50th year, we’ll share stories here that reflect HCA Healthcare’s mission – above all else, the care and improvement of human life – and our pledge to improve life and make history for the next 50 years and beyond.