by Donna Jablonski, May 26, 2006

The federal government is not doing enough to protect nurses and other responders from a possible avian flu pandemic, 73 U.S. representatives told the secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Labor on May 25.

Led by Reps. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) and Steven LaTourette (R-Ohio), co-chairs of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, the bipartisan House members said the administration’s pandemic flu plans do not adequately protect nurses and others from airborne hazards. 

In a letter to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, the legislators said they are particularly concerned about administration plans to rely on surgical masks rather than fitted respirators to protect nurses and others who would deal with pandemic flu sufferers.

“A surgical mask is going to do squat to protect nurses and emergency responders, and it is well-documented that respirators that fit are needed,” LaTourette said.

Using surgical masks rather than respirators in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak contradicts recommendations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, the legislators said. 

They also expressed concern that administration plans call for HHS rather than the Labor Department’s OSHA to be responsible for setting infectious disease control measures for workplaces.

“It is imperative that the health and safety of responders be an integral part of any national preparations,” their letter said. “We should not wait until nurses experience a high rate of illness before we act to protect them from pandemic flu.”

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