May 4, 2009 Update
UNA meets with Health officials
UNA met with representatives of Alberta Health and Wellness, Occupational Health and Safety, Employment and Immigration and Alberta Health Services to discuss H1N1 Swine Flu precautions today.
Alberta Health Services committed to providing health workers with updated information if and when the situation with the Flu changes.
UNA President Heather Smith, Director of Labour Relations David Harrigan and Occupational Health and Safety Officer Janice Peterson met with the government officials. Among other topics discussed was the importance of including health worker union representation in discussions on safety and infection control.
UNA continues to recommend that all health workers treating a suspected or confirmed case of H1N1 Swine Flu should use full precautions including an N-95 mask.
First hospitalized Swine Flu victim in Alberta
Alberta Health Services today announced that a young girl in hospital in Edmonton since last Thursday has been confirmed with the H1N1 Swine flu virus.
Reports say the girl had not travelled to Mexico recently and how she became infected is not known.
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.
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Swine Influenza - Respiratory Protection for Nurses
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
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