Modesto nurses claim Kaiser putting them, patients at risk over COVID-19 care
A few dozen nurses protested Tuesday afternoon outside the Kaiser Permanente Modesto Medical Center to call attention to what they say is a lack of personal protective equipment to keep them, their co-workers and patients safe during the new coronavirus pandemic.
They say they need more N95 respirator masks to replace the surgical masks they wear when treating patients with COVID-19 or suspected of having the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
They said nurses are issued the N95 masks only when performing high-risk procedures, such as inserting a breathing tube on COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 patients that can result in these patients expelling tiny droplets containing the virus.
And they said Kaiser is putting them and others at risk by requiring them to wear the same surgical mask for their entire shift as they treat a range of patients and by not following other practices.
“It’s a nightmare,” said one nurse, who asked that her name not be used. She said Kaiser it putting not only the nurses at risk but their patients, other Kaiser’s employees and everyone’s family members.
“There are nurses who are sleeping in their garages because they don’t want to expose their family members,” said another nurse who asked that her name not be used because she feared retaliation.
Kaiser denied the claims that it is putting employees and patients at risk.
“Kaiser Permanente’s top priority is the safety of our patients and staff,” the health-care provider said in a statement. “To suggest we are not providing appropriate protective equipment is inaccurate. We are providing our staff with the protective equipment that is aligned with the latest science and guidance from public health authorities.
“These are the supplies and equipment that are also being used by the major hospital systems in California and across the nation. We understand this is a stressful time and we encourage staff to raise concerns.”
CDC revises N95 standards
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revised its standards on the use of the N95 masks because of a nationwide shortage of them and other personal protective equipment as hospitals and other health-care providers deal with the pandemic.
But some nurses claimed Kaiser is not fully following the revised CDC guidance. And the nurse who said some of her co-workers are sleeping in their garages said she and her co-workers understand there is a shortage but said other local hospitals have been able to get N95 masks.
This nurse claims that Kaiser management has not been open with its employees on how much personal protective equipment it has, its efforts to acquire more N95 masks, notifying employees when co-workers have been exposed, and other measures to keep its employees and patients safe.
“It’s just vague answers,” the nurse said.
Kaiser in its statement denied that, saying it takes its nurses’ concerns seriously and makes every effort to communicate clearly with them.
The California Nursing Association and National Nurses United organized Tuesday’s demonstration. It had drawn about 50 nurses wearing masks and red bandannas around their faces by around 3 p.m., but organizers said about 75 nurses had participated by the time the rally ended.
The nurses practiced social distancing, keeping 6 feet apart, and many wore red, the California Nursing Association’s color. Organizers said the protest involved nurses from Kaiser’s Modesto and Manteca medical centers but added that Kaiser doctors support this effort.
Kaiser said in its statement that it is “prudently managing our resources to ensure this equipment is available for our health care workforce for the duration of this pandemic.
“... Kaiser Permanente has extensive experience in managing highly infectious diseases. We are both ready to protect our valued care teams, including our nurses who are at the front line of care ... as we continue to secure supplies as part of our ongoing monitoring and planning.”
Kaiser would not say how many patients and employees at its Modesto and Manteca medical centers have COVID-19 or are suspected of having it, citing respect for public health oversight of the pandemic and patient privacy.
