Sponsored by Elite Biomedical Solutions
The Shield You Know. The Shield You Trust.
It was a Monday morning. Rumors had been transpiring for weeks leading up. Experts had warned. Whispers raised questions, “What is going to happen?” “Is this true?” Just as the first morning coffee was poured, the executive team was called for a meeting. News of COVID-19 had infiltrated the U.S. health care industry. Hospitals buckled down and Elite customers called in. As the Elite executive team met, it was apparent what needed to be done.
A Call to Action
A plan centered around both the state of Ohio and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines in protecting and preventing the spread of Covid-19 was immediately developed and implemented. Increased sanitization, social distancing and internal restructure became our new normal.
A Call to Ohio Manufacturers
Pursuant to the executive order as issued by the state of Ohio, Elite Biomedical Solutions LLC was deemed an “essential” company. As a health care device manufacturer, Elite answered Governor Mike DeWine’s urgent request in this battle against COVID-19. We provided letters to the suppliers we are partnered with, in order to justify their need to remain open for business as a critical supplier to Elite.
Our CEO spent time on conference calls with the Ohio Manufacturing Association listening to “key” speakers, such as Lt. Governor John Husted and other experts in the field. As a USA manufacturer, we were able to quickly respond to the call by a) developing a plan to manufacture six months of inventory in-house, b) contacting our customers to outline our game plan, and c) increasing hours of operation to ensure the continuation of medical supply delivery.
The Game Plan
Symptoms and temperatures were monitored daily. Policies became flexible in order to permit our employees to stay home while sick. All incoming shipments were quarantined for 24 hours. In addition to this, Elite employees were assessed, evaluated and placed into three different platoons. Both Platoon A and Platoon B were deemed “essential” workers needed in assembly, manufacturing, repair services, customer service and quality. We equally split these essential employees into two separate platoons, then into two separate rotations (3.5 days on and 3.5 days off) on different schedules. Platoon C was a combination of those employees who could work remotely as well as what was defined by CDC as “high risk.” The three-platoon system accomplished several objectives: a) protect our employees by thinning the teams out, b) creating greater than 6-feet social distancing, and c) ensuring that if we had an employee get sick, Elite had two more platoons that could fill in the gap.
What Kept Us Going
Working diligently to support and provide for all our customers fighting on the frontlines, our employees took on the challenge. We knew of customers, family members, friends and neighbors risking their health for the sake of others. It was our honor to serve them. As a team we counted our blessings, pulled up our bootstraps and united to support these fearless individuals. The morale of the team was and always is crucial. With the extreme safety measures and new schedules much of the “ordinary” was gone. Positivity, proactive leaders and individual accommodations helped. However, at the end of the day we had a job, we had a roof over our heads, we had our health and we had a purpose to serve others and that … that was enough.
What We Learned
As a collective, the nation’s health care industry was tested. Opening the gaps, pushed to capacities and placed in the limelight individuals, hospitals, communities and companies came together to fight. No amount of competition or difference stood a chance. Because where there is darkness, there is light. Where there is pressure, there is growth. And where there is tragedy, there is triumph.
For more information visit elitebiomedicalsolutions.com.
