HOPE Team - Here forYOU

What is a second victim?
A second victim is a healthcare provider who is involved in an unanticipated high-risk event that has caused harm or has the potential to cause harm to a patient, causing the healthcare provider to become victimized due to the trauma of the event.

What is the HOPE Team - Here forYou?
The HOPE Team provides support in a safe zone for staff and physicians who are experiencing a normal response to a stressful event or unanticipated patient event.

The team’s goal is to ensure all employees, physicians, volunteers and students of Covenant HealthCare feel supported and are able to return to their pre-event baseline performance.

What can the HOPE team do for me?

  • Provides a safe zone to express feelings and reflect on the event to improve coping
  • Guarantee information shared is confidential
  • Provide one-on-one support
  • Reassure you that these are normal reactions after a traumatic event

For more information, please call Covenant HealthCare's HOPE hotline at 989.583.HOPE (4673).

Additional Information
Common reactions to stressful events include an array of physical symptoms, such as:

  • Sleep disturbance
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Eating disturbance
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Rapid breathing
  • Muscle tension

Psychological symptoms include:

  • Isolation
  • Frustration
  • Fear
  • Grief and remorse
  • Discomfort with returning to work
  • Anger and irritability
  • Depression
  • Self-doubt
  • Flashbacks

Second victims often:

  • Feel personally responsible for the unanticipated patient outcome
  • Feel as though they have failed the patient
  • Second-guess their clinical decisions and skills
  • Second-guess their knowledge base
  • Experience feelings of anxiety, depression, and shame

Strategies for coping with stress include:

  • Remind yourself that it is okay; you are experiencing a common reaction to a stressful event
  • Keep your normal routine as much as possible
  • Physical exercise and relaxation will help you cope with physical reactions to stress
  • Avoid alcohol and drug use
  • Do not try to hide your feelings
  • Eat regularly, minimizing sugar and caffeine
  • Do something nice for yourself