Nurses are on the front line of American healthcare as they are ever present in the patient care process. Startlingly, registered nurses (RNs) across the country have reported that hospitals might not be ready for the H1N1 flu epidemic that is expected to spread throughout the fall and winter seasons. An anticipated 2 million Americans could be hospitalized due to the H1N1 swine flu this winter. The California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC) recently reported the results of their study regarding our nation's preparedness.
According to the study, RNs have reported shortcomings in safety gear, infection control training, and post-exposure procedures. They would have healthcare facilities use adequate numbers of respirator masks, and properly isolate swine flu patients. These measures will better protect nurses and also other hospital patients.
"These continuing problems increase the risk that many hospitals will become vectors for infection, with inadequate patient protections leading to a spread of the pandemic among other patients, their friends, family, and caregivers, and the surrounding community," said Deborah Burger, RN, CNA/NNOC co-president. ?What we?re hearing from around the country is dangerous to patient health and safety, but with smart and clinically appropriate leadership we can fix policies in time for the upcoming pandemic.?
The CNA/NNOC has been active in correcting this problem. Its leaders testified at a joint California Senate hearing in Sacramento about preparedness for swine flu in the state's health and educational systems. The organization has also supported nurses in demanding safety improvements for nurses and patients at over 50 hospitals.
The survey conducted compiled patient health and safety surveys from 190 American hospitals across the nation. The data reflects studies of RN opinions in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Texas from a four week period this fall. A press release issued by the CNA/NNOC reported the following findings:
"Findings of the survey include:
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Half the hospitals have seen infected patients. At 18 percent, RNs have been infected, nurses say.
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Nurses at 15 percent of hospitals report that they do not have access or only some have access to the appropriate N95 respirator masks, and at 19 percent of the hospitals all or some masks were not ?fitted,? to ensure their effectiveness against the virus
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More than one in five, 22 percent of the facilities, do not have enough masks, say nurses.
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At almost 40 percent of those which do have sufficient masks, all or some of the masks are expected to be reused, say nurses. That puts nurses and patients at risk of infection and violates CDC guidelines which say all healthcare personnel who enter rooms of patients in isolation for H1N1 should wear a fit-tested disposable N95 mask, and that the masks should not be reused.
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Nurses at 26 percent of hospitals report that infected patients are not being properly isolated, in appropriately ventilated rooms, raising the possibility of the infection spreading to others in the facility. At nearly a third of the facilities, proper infection controls are not being followed.
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Nurses at fewer than half of facilities (49 percent) report that they have been adequately trained on H1N1 issues, including identification of infected patients, and procedures for caring for these patients.
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Nurses at only 35 percent of facilities report that they are guaranteed adequate sick leave if they become ill while caring for a patient, penalizing them for appropriately staying home while infectious. "
The CNA/NNOC also issued a list of demands, "The Nurses' Swine Flu Safety Agenda," in their report:
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"Minimize infection of hospital patients and workers by strict adherence to the highest standard of infection control procedures, including identification and isolation with appropriate ventilation of infected patients
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All hospital workers and visitors must be provided with appropriate protection gear at the highest government standards, including N95 respirator masks or better for all who enter the isolation room of a confirmed or suspected H1N1 patient.
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Guarantee all patients and workers full transparency after any exposures to H1N1, in as timely a manner as possible
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Healthcare workers and facility visitors must receive full information and guidelines on risk exposure and facility infection control recommendations
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Any RN who is unable to work due to contracting a communicable or infectious disease identified or treated in his or her hospital/clinic shall be guaranteed sick leave, not face disciplinary action, and shall be presumptively eligible for workers? compensation benefits
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Implement a moratorium on any closures of emergency rooms, layoffs of direct healthcare personnel, and reductions of hospital beds.
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Federal guidelines for protection must be developed that are consistent across agencies
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Disposable respirator masks must not be re-used. In the event of a demonstrated national mask shortage, facilities should adhere to government recommendations on mask conservation."