Michigan nurses say they don’t feel there are enough protections in place as they deal with an expected increase in coronavirus cases.
The Michigan Nurses Association is urging hospitals across the state to be more proactive about developing protocols for screening and treating suspected and confirmed coronavirus patients.
The group has also asked for guarantees that vulnerable or immunocompromised nurses not be placed with covid patients.
Stephanie DePetro is a nurse at UP Health System Marquette and a member of the Association. She said she’d like to see a standardized protocol for screening and treating suspected and confirmed coronavirus patients.
“People are getting missed. Meaning employees of the hospital as well as patients, potential carriers of the Covi-19.”
DePetro said there are also concerns about the availability of equipment.
“It’s my understanding that the personal protective gear around the state is in very limited supply. It’s being rationed by facilities for use during the day and some of it is even being repurposed.”
And according to DePetro said hospitals may be understaffed for the expected outbreak of the virus.
Christopher Freise is a professor of nursing and health management at the University of Michigan. He advises nurses to take steps to protect themselves.
“Find out from your employer the current state of the protective equipment available and the plans to secure additional equipment in the long run.”
Freise said reports from China and Italy suggest that a large number of healthcare workers become sick - some even dying.
He said it’s important the nurses receive the protections - and equipment - necessary.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to our request for comment about the status of protective gear for nurses.