COVID-19 precautions prompt big changes to hospital operations

At the end of May, the NIH Clinical Center began to phase-in several hundred employees back to work physically within the hospital since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic swept across the nation mid-March. The hospital also began to slowly increase the patient census from roughly 50 to around 100 inpatients and outpatient clinic visits from roughly 50 a day to 150 a day.

NIH staff awarded for surgical cloth sewing initiative to “Spread the Warmth”

A project to transform surgical cloth into blankets for the homeless has been recognized for its contributions to the community. Founded by Clinical Center Operating Room staff, the “Spread the Warmth” initiative repurposes surgical cloth into blankets. The blue fabric, which wraps sterilized instruments and is hygienic, would usually end up as medical waste.

NIH celebrates two local men for their 400th platelet donations to patients

They say lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice. However, at the NIH Donor Center at Fishers Lane it did! On March 6, NIH celebrated its second donor in a month making a 400th platelet donation.

Updated protocol number format launches in June

Reminder! On June 1, new protocol number format will be implemented across all NIH. The new protocol number format will look like “000000-IC” with a total of 9 alpha-numeric characters.