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April 17, 2003
Additional BCNU advisory on SARS
(points in bold are additional to April 16 bulletin)
Following the news that a BC nurse has contracted a probable case of SARS after working with a probable SARS patient, BCNU has taken the following action:
We are working with the nurses and the employer, Royal Columbian Hospital, in a thorough review of all procedures.
We are in contact with the BC Centre for Disease Control and the Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare to review infection control guidelines and ensure that they are up to date.
OH&S Stewards are advised to meet with their employers to review infection control procedures.
- Staff must be provided with proper personal protective equipment (gloves, gowns, masks and goggles/face shields) in sufficient quantifies to meet their needs.
- All protective equipment must be accessible to all staff who are at risk of exposure. Between use, they are to be kept in a clean, dry place if still intact (a paper bag not a plastic bag).
- Staff must be instructed in the proper use of masks and fit tested to ensure a proper seal.
- Isolation procedures should be reviewed with all staff who may come to be at risk of exposure
- Special care must be taken during procedures that cause aerosolization such as airway suctioning, intubation, bronchoscopy, etc.
- Triage staff in emergency departments should wear a mask during first contact and can remove it once it is clear that the patient is not being screened for SARS.
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The protection of health care workers is recognized to be fundamental to preventing the spread of SARS. Health professionals are conferencing almost daily to assess and update infection control procedures. The most recent directives from Health Canada can be found on BCNU’s web site www.bcnu.org/sars htm.
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