May 5, 2009
Alberta Health announced today that there were two new confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza, which brings the total of Alberta cases to 26. The World Health Organization reported 1490 cases in 21 countries with the majority of cases occurring in Mexico (822), United States (403) and Canada (140).
Assisted Living and Long Term Care are missing out on flu protection
Influenza normally affects the very young and the very old, however, the majority of these cases have occurred in otherwise healthy young adults. Illness signs and symptoms have consisted of influenza-like illness, fever and respiratory tract illness. However, as with any new strain of influenza the target age group and the severity of the symptoms could change at any time.
If the influenza H1N1 virus does begin to target older adults it is quite possible that residents in assisted living and long-term care facilities could be affected. The virus most likely would be transmitted to residents from visitors and staff.
Some long term care units and facilities administered by Alberta Health Services have provided fit-testing and N95 respirators to their nurses as per the Multi-Employer/UNA Joint Committee agreement on respiratory protection. However, many of the nurses working in assisted living and long-term care facilities are not covered by the UNA and HBA Services collective agreement. Therefore they are not covered by the Joint Committee agreement.
We have heard from a number of UNA assisted living and long-term care locals that they have not been fit-tested or provided with N95 respirators. It does take some time to fit-test Employees (30 minutes) and to order and receive appropriate numbers of N95 respirators. We are concerned about the potential spread of influenza H1N1 to older Albertans and the lack of readiness of some Employers.
In order to address these concerns United Nurses of Alberta will be sending letters to assisted living and long term care employers urging them to follow the spirit of the agreement by providing fit-testing for N95 respirators to all employees covered by a United Nurses of Alberta Collective Agreement. In addition, we are recommending that they follow Alberta Health Services lead and ensure adequate supplies N95 respirators in case the outbreak escalates. We will also be attaching a copy of our position statement on respiratory protection for nurses.
Recommended precautions for health workers remain
It is the position of United Nurses of Alberta that until such time as there is scientific certainty regarding the mode of transmission of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) all Employees covered by the Multi-Employer/UNA Collective Agreement that are required to provide patient care for suspected or confirmed swine influenza A cases must be provided with an appropriate supply of fit-tested N95 respirators and mandatory education regarding the care of procedures for donning and doffing N95 respirators.
Along with respiratory protection until the manner of causation is known, in addition to routine practices, infection control measures for suspected and confirmed cases of the swine influenza should include contact precautions, respiratory hygiene, accommodation, eye protection, surveillance and reporting.
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.
|
|
Regular Updates will be posted as soon as new information is available.
For additional information and assistance contact your Local representative, Labour Relations Officer or UNA Occupational Health and Safety Officer
April 29, 2009 from Public Health Agency of Canada PHAC GUIDANCE DOCUMENT - VERSION 1- Interim Guidance: Infection prevention and control measures for Health Care Workers in Acute Care Facilities - Human Cases of Swine Influenza A
(H1N1)
April 28, 2009 from Alberta Health & Wellness TO: ALL ALBERTA NURSES Re: Guidelines for Human Swine Influenza A (H1N1)
April 28, 2009 from Public Health Agency of Canada PHAC GUIDANCE DOCUMENT - Interim Guidance: Infection prevention and control measures for Health Care Workers in Acute Care Facilities - Human Cases of Swine Influenza A (H1N1)
April 29 2009 from Dr. Gerry Predy Alberta Health Services RE: Human Swine Influenza in Alberta
N95 Respirator Provision & Fit-Testing Multi-Employer/UNA Joint Committee Tentative Agreement SEP 12, 2008
Links to More Information
|
