Deal gives health-care workers protective gear

Province promises all those doing tests for COVID-19 access to N95 masks

EDMONTON Health authorities and unions reached an agreement Friday on safety measures for frontline workers who test patients for COVID -19.

The formalized agreement states that health-care workers shall have access to the appropriate PPE. It comes after about a dozen Edmonton nurses refused to conduct swabs, saying they weren’t given the option to wear respiratory masks when interacting with patients.

All health-care workers within two metres of a suspected or confirmed case of the novel coronavirus will now have access to N95 respirator masks, gloves, face shields and gowns.

This solution for expanded protection was reached by Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health, United Nurses of Alberta, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees and the Health Sciences Association of Alberta.

“During the current COVID -19 pandemic, it is critical that the appropriate steps are taken to protect the health and safety of all healthcare workers in Alberta and prevent exposure to and transmission of COVID-19,” the organizations said in a joint statement Friday afternoon. “Ensuring that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is used by all staff and physicians, while also preserving supplies of specialized equipment for when they are required to safely provide care, is critical.”

Frontline health-care workers will need to conduct a risk assessment ahead of every patient interaction to ensure the protection they deem necessary is available before any testing.

“If a health-care worker determines on reasonable grounds that specific PPE is required, they shall have access to the appropriate PPE ... and this will not be unreasonably denied by their employer, or they shall be deployed to another area,” the release said.

United Nurses of Alberta president Heather Smith said the union is satisfied with this agreement and hopes it eases the concerns of nurses on access to protective equipment they feel is necessary.

There is currently not a shortage of any equipment in Alberta, but supplies are being regularly monitored.

If levels reach a point where equipment is only expected to last for 30 days, contingency plans are being developed to ensure the safety of all workers.

Even with a “sufficient supply,” AHS spokeswoman Sabrina Atwal said many Albertans are reaching

It is critical that the appropriate steps are taken to protect the health and safety of all health-care workers in Alberta.

out to donate medical equipment. This includes a community drive organized by University of Alberta medical students to collect supply donations for front line workers.

“We appreciate the kindness of Albertans willing to donate medical supplies,” Atwal said in an email to Postmedia Wednesday, noting all equipment would need to meet health and safety standards. “AHS was prepared in advance and had been working to ensure we had a large supply of PPE for when it was needed. Inventory is tracked daily for all PPE items.”

With a major influx in donation offers, residents are asked to send all emails to ahscovidoffer@ahs.ca.