Mask Shortage Continues to Put Nurses at Risk in SARS Outbreak
TORONTO, March 30 /CNW/ - Ontario's lack of preparedness for the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has nurses extremely worried about the health of their patients, the community at large and their own safety, says Barb Wahl, RN, President of the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA).
"We're seeing a shortage of supplies, especially the N-95 masks that nurses need to wear to protect themselves and the public. This is putting the public in danger," says Wahl. "These masks are essential gear in an event like this to stop the further spread of infection, and yet our nurses say some facilities are rationing them."
"Nurses also have reported they are being excluded at some facilities from meetings where plans are being formulated to deal with the outbreak. This is unacceptable to our members and should be unacceptable to the public," said Wahl.
Currently the majority of SARS cases in Ontario are front-line nurses and doctors, while many more are in quarantine in their homes awaiting to see if they will develop the disease. More nurses have been reporting symptoms, which means their families and colleagues are also at risk.
"With a nursing shortage already hampering our ability to provide safe patient care in Ontario, we can't afford to see even one of our nurses sidelined with SARS, especially during an outbreak like this. It is essential that they are fully protected when caring for these patients," said Wahl.
Asked to notify ONA if any of their employers are not complying with the provincial 12-point directive to Toronto and GTA facilities for containment of SARS, nurses have been reporting some alarming scenarios, including:
- some facilities haven't got N-95 masks to provide to staff.
- nurses are being made to wear masks beyond their effectiveness because of rationing or limited supplies.
- nurses are being told to decided for themselves whether or not they need to wear a mask.
- nurses are being asked to care for both SARS patients in isolation wards and non-SARS patients in regular wards, which increases the chances of contamination.
"If we are to control this outbreak and ensure that more health care workers aren't infected, they must be provided with full protective gear for treating SARS patients," said Wahl. "That includes gowns, gloves, eye protection and masks. And as the front-line care providers, nurses must be involved in planning and implementing strategies for dealing with the outbreak."
ONA is urging the provincial government to broaden its 12-point directive to facilities across Ontario, which includes visitor restrictions, encompassing hospitals, homes for the aged, nursing homes, retirement homes, and home care in the community.
"We strongly recommended facilities be closed to visitors early last week and yet many facilities are continuing to allow the public to come and go at will. This has to stop. We can't emphasize this enough," said Wahl.
ONA is the union representing 46,000 registered nurses and allied health professionals working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, community agencies, industry and other settings across Ontario.
For further information: Laura Ziemba, (416) 803-8028