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BCNU is working to increase awareness with employers and members about
the risks of infectious diseases and preventive measures needed to avoid them.
Front line healthcare workers are at the greatest risk from infectious disease.
Infectious patients arrive everyday in the emergency room waiting to be seen
by nurses and the health care team. In the community, nurses head out to provide
care to clients in their homes, with little or no protection from respiratory
diseases. Exposure can be as simple as a cough or sneeze or handshake. During
the SARS outbreak in Canada 51% of the 438 cases were healthcare workers. Healthcare workers were most likely to be put under quarantine
measures.
Other risks for infectious disease include potential influenza pandemic,
hepatitis, TB, measles, mumps, Fifth disease, c.dificile and antibiotic resistant
infections. The protection of nurses from infectious disease is essential, as
they are the front line in the fight against these diseases.
Protective measures vary according to the nature of the disease,
but typically include frequent hand washing, gloves, gowns, and respiratory protection
(which means the use of N95 fit-tested masks and isolation measures for patients).
The use of negative pressure rooms and isolation procedures that are followed
by all staff and visitors is critical. The use of safety-engineered medical
devices, such as retractable needles and scalpels, is key to preventing
blood borne infections.
If you have questions or concerns, contact your worksite steward, whose name
and work area should be posted on your union bulletin board. Or contact your
regional OH&S representatives. These members are nurses who have
been elected in your region to help problem-solve issues and concerns. If
you are a steward and have raised your concerns at the Joint Occupational
Health and Safety committee without any success, please inform the regional representative
and your BCNU OH&S
officer.
Measles
Further information on infectious disease prevention
in healthcare is available through the following links:
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