For Immediate Release Thursday, March 5, 2009
Alberta nurses concerned about safety of blood supply with lowered professional standards in screening
Alberta’s Blood Services nurses are joining the cross country criticism about proposed staffing changes at Canada’s blood donor service.
Canadian Blood Services has announced a plan to replace Registered Nurses with unregulated staff in performing health screening and assessments of blood donors.
“If we take the RNs out of the screening booth, the risks will be increased,” says Heather Smith, President of the United Nurses of Alberta.
Heather Smith says the screening process is critical and requires professional judgement.
“It’s a high level of skill,” she says, “ and the standards are very high. It’s something we can all be proud of.”
The nurses are concerned that reducing the qualifications of the staff who are screening donors will raise the risks of infected blood coming into Canada’s all voluntary blood donation system.
“The nurses’ concern is the safety of the blood supply,” says Heather Smith.
Canadian Blood Services has made it clear there is no plan for layoffs and that nursing jobs would be reduced through attrition.
“This is not about jobs, it is about the standard of qualification to undertake this critical and delicate work. Nurses are highly skilled in assessment, and critical evaluation. This is the core of professional practice,” says Heather Smith.
Nurses point out that the Canadian Blood Services was created after the tainted blood scandal, when safety measures failed Canadians. The Krever Commission recommended the new organization be established and that safety standards be of paramount importance. “The costs of promoting safety may well be high,” the Commission final report noted.
Canadian Blood Services says the staffing change is not about saving money.
“It should not be about money,” says Heather Smith. “What Canadians expect is the highest possible level of professional protection of safety of the blood supply.”
Blood Services nurses in Alberta have not been told how a new employee system of screening would actually function. They are concerned that just a few nurses could be responsible for overseeing dozens or perhaps over a hundred donors during peak donation times.
“We know there are nursing vacancies at the Blood Services in Alberta and that finding enough nurses is a problem across the health system.”
“We believe the Blood Services here in Alberta is actively taking steps to keep their nurses and attract more. We are concerned, however, about the national decision to move to unregulated employees in screening which has potential to compromise the safety of our blood supply,” Heather Smith concluded.
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For more information:
Heather Smith, President United Nurses of Alberta 780 425-1025.
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