July 7, 2009
Government and Health Care Employers still in Denial
On July 6, 2009 Alberta Health announced that there are now 1,098 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza virus in Alberta. There were 27 new cases confirmed since July 3, 2009.
Some time ago Alberta Health issued guidance advising physician not to test for H1N1 unless the individual had a pre-existing medical condition that could put them at risk of complications or the patient had a severe symptoms. Therefore, these numbers do not provide an accurate picture of the number of cases nor the spread of the virus in Alberta.
Today the World Health Organization reported 94,512 cases with 47 deaths. In a July 3, 2007 update Public Health Agency of Canada announced that there were 8,883 confirmed cases in Canada including 663 hospitalizations and 29 deaths.
In an Edmonton Journal article Dr Mark Joffe, Infectious Disease Specialist, called the current outbreak “the most important” health care event in the last forty years. Dr. Joffe stated that H1N1 infections were starting to impact health services including hospitals and intensive care units. He confirmed that the number of infections and the number of people admitted to hospitals is increasing.
However, despite the increase in confirmed cases of the virus and hospitalization nurses continue to be told by their employers that surgical masks provide effective protection against infection with the H1N1 virus.
This is simply not true. This advise is based on an assumption that the virus is transmitted by droplet only. This same assumption was made during the SARS outbreak and directly lead to workplace related infections and in some instances the deaths of health care workers in Ontario.
Nurses need to be vigilant in protecting themselves and their family from infection. Insist on having the appropriate personal protective equipment (N95 respirator mask, gloves, gown & eye protection) available for use when providing care to patients, residents and clients with suspected or confirmed H1N1 virus infections.
Good Samaritan Society Responds to Outbreak
On June 29, 2009 H1N1 outbreak restrictions in place at the Good Samaritan Millwoods facility were lifted by Albert Public Health. All of the staff that were previously off work with flu-like illness have now returned to work.
Once UNA became involved the employer reacted to the outbreak by offering all staff Tamiflu and Alberta Health Services was brought in to perform N95 respirator fit-testing for all staff. They followed the H1N1 guidelines for Acute Care and their Emergency Response Committee has been conducting regular meetings .
They are currently developing a plan to fit-test staff working in their facilities throughout Alberta and British Columbia.
Although the Good Samaritan Society has now put proper precautions in place this situation supports the need to have an effective plan of action in place before an outbreak hits. Hopefully other Continuing Care employers are taking note of this employers actions.
What You Need to Know:
Get Fit Tested! - The Multi-Employer/UNA Joint Committee has reached an agreement regarding N95 Respirator Provision and Fit Testing, which requires the employer to provide N95 respirator fit-testing to all employees covered by the Multi-Employer/UNA Collective Agreement. Fit-Testing is mandatory as per Article 35.02 (a)
Ensure you have enough N95 respirators - The Joint Committee agreement obligates the Employer to ensure that an appropriate supply of N95 respirators is available.
You may be temporarily transferred - In the event of an emergency Article 44: Mobility (44.05 (e)) allows the Employer to reassign Employees from any site to perform work at any other site in emergency circumstances. An emergency is defined as “an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action”. Contact you Local representative or Labour Relations Office for additional information regarding emergency transfers.
Do not report to work if you are sick - Nurses should not be reporting to work if they have influenza like illness (fever and respiratory symptoms). Nurses who do report to work are putting patients and their co-workers at risk of infection and illness. The Alberta Government is asking that individuals with flu like symptoms stay home from work and avoid public places when ill.
You do not have to put your health at risk - The agreement between the parties states that employees who have not been fit-tested for an N95 respirator or are unable to achieve an effective facial seal shall not be expected to enter or provide services in an area where a suspected or confirmed case of swine influenza A has been identified. These Employees may be deployed to another area.
You need to assess whether you believe that you need to provided with N95 respirators (fit-tested), gown and eye protection. If your employer refuses then ask to be reassigned.
|
