Local 5089 members: Important CoVid-19 Updates

HPAE realizes that we are experiencing a public health crisis of unknown proportions, especially as our members are on the frontline, however HPAE’s priority is to ensure that each member has the proper equipment to protect themselves and are provided with the necessary tools to provide safe patient care. Unfortunately during this time, the Center for Disease Control or CDC and the US Dept of Health have weakened their guidance on measures that may contain CoVid-19 thereby placing many of our members in clear and present danger. HPAE has held several meetings with University Hospital which has resulted in the visiting policy being changed, changed the policy regarding the use of masks and have demanded all staff be fit-tested once again to ensure each member has the proper N95 mask. Although management has been receptive for the most part to addressing our concerns, the message to our members remains simple: “At no point should a member enter a CoVid positive or PUI room without having N95 that has been properly fitted as well as the proper personal protective equipment required for isolation patients”. We understand that there is a limited amount of N95s as well as other supplies however it is still the Hospital’s responsibility to ensure the safety of our members and your right to demand to be safe while providing patient care.

In addition, members are being given assignments they may not feel competent to perform which may jeopardize patient care. The chances of a medical error are increased when members accept an assignment without having been given the proper training. We also realize that many of these CoVid patients are completely alone during this crisis, so it is up to our members to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect in their time of need.  As a result, if you are asked to take an assignment that you feel you may not be competent to perform, then you should immediately notify your manager as well as request some form of training. Furthermore, you must remember to protect your license and be vigilant regarding your documentation, which includes filling out an Unsafe Staffing Form for every shift and unit as well as PSN, if necessary. Lastly, we are asking management to make sure that these units have either a resource nurse or someone from education available to answer questions that may arise.

Currently, the Hospital is following the CDC’s guidelines which states that any healthcare worker fearing they may have been exposed must continue to report to work until they exhibit symptoms. If members are immunodeficient or is the primary caregiver for someone that is immunodeficient, they should call Human Resources to discuss their options during this time.  As the number of CoVid-19 patients increase, it becomes more important that our members are aware of their rights. Please go to https://www.hpae.org/issues/coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/ for more information on your rights during this pandemic or feel free to contact your local union rep.

In Unity,

Cynthia McDougall, RN

President, HPAE Local 5089