SANTA MONICA– 10 nurses at Providence St. John’s University hospital stayed on suspension Thursday after refusing to treat coronavirus clients without N95 respirator masks, although their union declared victory with the health center’s announcement it is now offering the devices.
According to the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United, a minimum of 15 nurses at the Santa Monica healthcare facility refused to deal with coronavirus clients unless they were given N95 masks or higher-standard equipment. Ten of those nurses were consequently suspended, according to the union.
” We are so happy of these nurses,” Bonnie Castillo, a signed up nurse and executive director of CNA/NNU, said in a statement. “Nurses comprehend and respect the science of infection control and that, with this virus, we should follow the precautionary principle by taking the most protective measures.
In a declaration, medical facility officials said that nurses have always been supplied with the protective equipment laid out in guidelines in set by the U.S. Centers for Illness Control and Prevention, the World Health Company and the state.
” These very same standards are followed by many health centers across the United States,” according to Providence. “There is a nationwide scarcity of PPE, consisting of N95 masks.
” We are happy that within the last week we got a boost in stock and the FDA approved authorization to reprocess N95 masks, allowing us to supply them to all caregivers dealing with COVID-19 clients. We are happy of the work all our nurses have actually been performing during these extraordinary times and honor them for their lots of success stories.
The health center declined to comment specifically on the suspended nurses, pointing out employee privacy concerns.
Providence authorities announced Wednesday that the healthcare facility system had actually started a procedure of disinfecting N95 masks to enhance its supply. Healthcare facility authorities stated the disinfection system, paired with contributions of masks and recent shipments, have actually assisted strengthen regional materials, although a national shortage continues.
The nurses’ union hailed the choice to provide the N95 masks to those dealing with COVID-19 clients.
” It’s a victory,” Chelsea Halmy, one of the suspended nurses, said in a declaration provided by the union. “They’re finally doing what they must have been carrying out in the top place. We are thankful, but it’s upsetting that it had to concern this point which our security wasn’t their very first concern. We still have so much more work to do.”
