Randi Homan, a radiology supervisor, makes scans less scary for COVID patients
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Meet more of Charlotte’s health care heroes
We’re sharing the stories of health care heroes in the Charlotte area who are helping to make a dent in the fight against COVID-19 — while making a difference in the lives of patients and their families.
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Randi Homan, radiology supervisor at Novant Medical Center in Huntersville, is on the front lines doing chest X-rays for COVID-19 patients.
A 10-year industry professional, Homan always knew she wanted to be in health care but also in a leadership position.
“I love radiology because I still get to interact with patients. I meet so many different patients every day, so it’s really quite fun and an honor to provide for a patient’s health care journey in a unique way,” Homan said.
Like most ancillary support services, radiology is important during a crisis such as COVID-19. On a day-to-day basis, Homan and her team wait for the orders for X-rays and CT scans for patients in the emergency room or ICU.
Homan said providers are relying heavily on X-ray imaging and CT scan imaging of the patients because COVID-19 presents much like pneumonia.
For patients who learn they need to receive CT scans or chest X-rays, it’s scary. Homan and her team are the friendly faces responsible for making these patients feel comfortable during their most vulnerable moments.
“There have been scary moments,” Homan said. “The COVID-19 population is presenting with all types of symptoms, from patients who are ambulatory – walking and talking just fine – to those patients who are really struggling to breathe and need to be intubated and in that critical-care setting. It can definitely be scary for those patients.”
Homan and her team remain prepared by ensuring they have personal protective equipment, or PPE.
“At first it started out a little bit scary because we didn’t know a lot about this virus, but we’re several weeks into it now. The team and I are a bit more relaxed; we have all of our PPE that we need to take care of these patients,” Homan said. Fortunately, Homan and her team have always had the masks and gloves they needed, unlike many other medical centers across the country.
She works hard to put patients at ease, helping to keep their anxiety in check by explaining why she’s wearing the PPE.
As the world continues to fight the virus, Homan said, the best way to remain safe is to listen to medical and scientific experts during this pandemic.
“I think staying home and practicing social distancing is the best that we can do right now. If you don’t have to go out anywhere, I wouldn’t,” Homan said. “Even when the stay-at-home orders are possibly lifted, or those restrictions change, I still would just practice safe social distancing because the virus isn’t going away. It’s still going to be there. We’re just slowing it down right now.”
