Long-term-care commission recommendations a good start

The second wave of COVID-19 has arrived in Ontario. The number of infections are increasing daily, as are outbreaks in long-term-care homes.

As front-line registered nurses (RNs) continue to care for the frail and medically complex residents in long-termcare homes, the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) strongly urges the Ford government to immediately implement the sensible recommendations made by the Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission in its interim report.

ONA has provided information and recommendations to the commission; the commission has heard first-hand the harrowing experiences of front-line RNs who have been infected by COVID-19 while providing care to residents. In the first wave, close to 2,000 long-term-care residents died of COVID -19 and thousands of RNs and health-care professionals have been infected with the coronavirus in the course of providing that care. Many have been hospitalized. Brian Beattie, RN, died of COVID-19 in May after becoming infected while working in longterm care. Other health-care workers in long-term care have also lost their lives.

We know that it did not have to be this way. Ontario has a road map to prevent outbreaks — the SARS Commission’s report, Spring of Fear — but failed miserably to take timely action to protect residents and staff. Successive governments have also had dozens of recommendations from organizations such as ONA for improving long-term care.

One of the best ways to keep residents safe is to mandate four hours of handson care per resident, per day. This is among the recommendations made by the Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission.

There must be attention given to clearly identifying the need for 0.8 hours a day of that care to be provided by RNs. Evidence and research shows that more care provided by registered nurses, registered practical nurses and nurse practitioners improves resident outcomes and quality of life. This, along with improved infection prevention and control, is vital.

The fact is that residents today overwhelmingly suffer from multiple acute and chronic illnesses and require the skills and care of RNs. In years past, these residents would have been in hospital, not long-term care, and they would benefit from higher staffing levels that would result from a legislated minimum standard of care.

Nursing organizations have known and spoken out for decades about the importance of RN care. While all health-care workers are an integral part of the team, Ontario law requires that just one RN be on site in each longterm-care facility — no matter the number of residents. And that law, in many cases, has not been followed.

Thus far, Premier Doug Ford’s “iron ring” around long-term care has simply not materialized

Thus far, Premier Doug Ford’s “iron ring” around long-term care has simply not materialized. Substantive protection for residents and staff has gone missing. The Ford government was alerted to the need to take protective action as early as January, by ONA and others, and failed to do so. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past.

There is hope that the second wave and its toll on long-term care residents and workers can be slowed — and even stopped. Will this government commit to immediately implementing the commission’s interim recommendations?

There is simply no excuse to stay the status quo. There is every reason to take action — and to take it now.