Nurses Will Strike for Flu Safety

by Seth Michaels, Oct 19, 2009

Some 16,000 registered nurses, members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC), are concerned that hospitals across California and Nevada aren’t doing enough to prepare for H1N1 flu, including adopting new safety standards put forth by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) and guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

They’re demanding proper equipment and procedures to treat patients with H1N1 symptoms and make sure that nurses and other patients don’t get sick. It’s a potential crisis that must be addressed now, so that vital health care facilities and staff aren’t strained.

The nurses, who work at three hospital chains, plan an Oct. 30 strike to protest the insufficient measures taken to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu among patients and health care workers.

Kathy Dennis, a registered nurse at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, says she’s concerned that hospitals aren’t properly supplied and prepared:

Our hospital isn’t being proactive in preparing for the expected onslaught of H1N1 infected patients. We can’t get enough N95 masks, patients are not being properly isolated, and RNs are not being kept informed of the latest guidelines. Last time I worked, it took me more than four hours to get masks-and when we ran out we ran out. We must put the proper precautions in place now before flu seasons peaks or we will all be in serious trouble.

The nurses also are demanding better staffing ratios and timely notification of H1N1 danger. The proposed one-day strike would affect hospitals in the Catholic Healthcare West, Daughters of Charity and St. Joseph health systems.

One nurse in Sacramento already has died from H1N1 exposure. CNA/NNOC members are fighting to make sure nurses and patients are protected in the case of a flu pandemic.

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