SACRAMENTO—The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United, the nation’s largest professional organization of registered nurses called today on federal, state, and county health agencies to adhere to the strictest guidelines in the handling of one of the first suspected Ebola virus cases in the state.

CNA/NNU pressed Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento, where the patient is receiving care, for full transparency in the handling of the patient, including the number of shifts RNs and other healthcare workers have worked since Ebola was first suspected, as well as safe nurse staffing, and the availability of timely training, and education.

CNA/NNU also called on the members the California legislature to ensure that all of the state’s acute care hospitals adhere to the Centers for Disease Control guidelines for protecting healthcare personnel as well as patients and the public. http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/prevent/ppe.html

Ebola viruses are transmitted through direct contact with blood or body fluids/substances (e.g., urine, feces, vomit) of an infected person with symptoms or through exposure to objects (such as needles) that have been contaminated with infected blood or body fluids.

RNs note the untimely death of Mercy San Juan Hospital RN Karen Ann Hayes in 2009, from exposure to the H1N1virus, as one of many reasons, for their concern and hyper vigilance for the strictest measures to safeguard the health of the public, healthcare workers, and patients.   

“This potential exposure of patients and healthcare workers demonstrates the critical need for planning, preparedness and protection at the highest level in hospitals throughout the nation”, said Bonnie Castillo, RN, and Director of CNA/NNU Registered Nurse Response Network. “Our nurses are expressing concern about their hospital’s state of preparedness including adequate supplies of personal protection equipment on hand, properly equipped isolation rooms, as well as protocols and training materials in place.”

Ebola Virus Fact Sheets

CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/resources/pdfs/ebola-factsheet.pdf

WHO: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/