Courtesy AtlantiCare
AtlantiCare recently marked the release from the hospital of its first inpatient who had tested positive for COVID-19. Some of the many team members who had cared for Liu “Sing” Ruixing bade her farewell before she left AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Mainland Campus in Pomona. The 60-year-old-woman is one of more than 35 people who tested positive for COVD-19 the hospital has treated and released from its Atlantic City or Mainland campuses.
“Everyone on the care team was wonderful,” Ruixing said. “They made me feel comfortable.”
Ruixing’s daughter Alice Hu also expressed appreciation for her mother’s care team.
“I was glad that even though they were working many hours and were busy taking care of patients, they took time out of their day to talk to me,” said Hu.
She kept a journal of her mother’s progress.
“I kept a timeline for her to keep my mind off that I couldn’t be with her,” she said.
Her notes included her mother’s hospital admission March 11, move to the Intensive Care Unit March 17 and release from the hospital April 10.
Due to visitor restrictions aimed at protecting patients, family members, hospital staff, and providers, Hu and her family relied on updates from her physicians and other caregivers. She noted the information in the journal daily.
“I really appreciate all the nurses, and doctors who reached out to give us news, even when she wasn’t doing well. I’m glad that they didn’t mince any words. When they had to make hard decisions, I trusted the staff and providers. I knew they had the knowledge and the expertise when I asked them, ‘Do you think this will help my mom?’ That’s why my mom is still alive today. I’m really grateful.”
“Mrs. Ruixing was our first patient who tested positive who became critically ill,” said Frances Loftus, D.O., associated chair of the Department of Critical Care. “Her case was challenging. We were so humbled to care for her and to serve as her extended family. Her recovery has energized us and continues to inspire us as we care for patients at both our Mainland and Atlantic City campuses.”
“We were all so relieved when Mrs. Ruixing started to make progress,” said Manish Trivedi, M.D., director, Division of Infectious Diseases. “She did all the hard work and will continue to do so as she recovers. It was our privilege to care for her.”
