October 6, 2021

People Moving People

Central

Krystee Decker didn’t grow up wanting to be a doctor or a nurse. She was an artist from the beginning. 

“I think I’m very keen on seeing how a small change here, has a ripple effect there,” says Decker who leads the Imaging Transport group. “I guess the artist part of me kind of sees the beauty in the system and the people.”

Decker, who came to Transport 10 years ago, is asked what Imaging Transport does. 

“I see transporting as the connectors,” she says. “We’re the movers of the hospital. We go almost everywhere. Currently, we’re Imaging transporters; meaning, if X-ray or MRI or whoever needs a patient, they send us to go get them so that staff don’t have to leave the unit where they’re needed most.”

I see transporting as the connectors. We’re the movers of the hospital.

Krystee Decker

Wheels In Motion

With staffing changes in the hospital, the Transport team was asked to pick up additional work. “We had the system in place,” explains Decker, “so we’re able to cater to all departments in the hospital.” Basically, Decker’s Imaging Transport team looks like it may become a centralized transport function, perhaps doubling in size from the current 14-member team. 

“We have a survey out in the hospital right now to better understand different departments’ needs. Is it discharges? Is it bringing specimens to lab? Maybe it’s getting a bed for a surgery. We’re learning what the needs are,” says Decker.

After being asked to help the Emergency Department, one need became clear, “One of the hang-ups was not having a computerized work list in Epic. Currently, we have a work list for Imaging patients, but if someone from the floor wants us to bring a patient for discharge, there wasn’t a way to request it,” says Decker. But that’s about to change. Chief Information Officer Amy Porwoll’s IS team is currently building the necessary technology infrastructure and is set to go live before the end of the year. 

Big Heart

When asked about her team’s experience with COVID, Decker says, “We have just tried to be there as much as possible for everyone working through the hardship. We weren’t in the rooms with COVID patients, but we were transporting them. I just think my team has had such a big heart through all of this.”

I just think my team has had such a big heart through all of this.

It is clear Krystee Decker leads with her heart. “I think artists tend to be a little bit more sensitive to what makes a person whole. Their life story. Their background. What brought them to where they are right now and where they’re going in the future,” she says. “I think the beauty in human life is what propels me.”

Knowing what’s going on with her team emotionally and even in their family life makes for a strong connection. “Leading with my heart makes sure that I hear their voices. I am always asking for their opinions, especially when we’re thinking about making a change. I’ll ask, ‘What do you think about this?’ or ‘Give me some insight.’ Sometimes I’ll say, ‘What am I not seeing?’ I’ve learned so much from my team by involving them in the decision-making.”

Listening to Krystee Decker, one gets the sense that Transport is like an art form to her. She does printmaking, jewelry, photography, painting, ceramics, and Transport. “This is my baby. This is what I breathe. This is home away from home and it’s like family,” she says, “In fact, that is what I tell people. This is family away from family.”

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