UNA President Heather Smith sent a telephone broadcast message to the province's Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses today advising them to protect themselves against exposure to the H1N1 virus.
Nurses work in a high risk environment, where they could be exposed to H1N1 repeatedly. We cannot let health workers become a vector of transmission of the virus.
Text of the full message to nurses:
Hello this is Heather Smith President of United Nurses of Alberta.
I am calling today about H1N1 protection for nurses. It’s an issue that is crucial to your safety and to the health of your family and your patients.
With the H1N1 spreading rapidly, nurses need to ensure they are appropriately protected.
Many of you are dealing with patients and clients who could be contagious. If you are working within two metres of influenza-like-illness cases, you should be using an N95 repirator, the minimum, required protection.
We are concerned that Alberta Health Services has been giving incorrect advice that a surgical mask is adequate and an N95 respirator is only required when there is coughing or sneezing.
The safety standard is: when you work near any influenza-like-illness you need to wear an N95 AND you also need to put on a gown, gloves and goggles or a full face shield.
Remember, even if you are vaccinated, that’s not full protection. Use an N95 and necessary protective equipment.
For more detailed information and the latest standards and research check our website at www.una.ab.ca.
If you are not being provided adequate protection, call your Local UNA representative or a UNA office as soon as possible.
Thank you for continuing to work with your patients, clients and residents through these difficult conditions.
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