Update: What to Do if You Lack PPE On Assignment

We are encouraged and humbled by the incredible work of our nurses. We are working to the best of our ability to support your efforts to keep you and your patients safe. We are hearing from you concerning the need for more supplies to provide safe and effective care to your patients. We are in communication with our hospital partners advocating on your behalf.

How We’re Supporting Our Nurses

We are aware of the guidance of the CDC and the Oregon State Board of Nursing (links below) regarding expectations of care in the absence of adequate isolation supplies. While we understand their position on patient care during these times of crisis, know we are here to support you – our staff on the frontlines.

If you feel that you are being asked to take a patient care assignment that places your health at risk due to lack of appropriate equipment, we support the ANA’s position that you need adequate supplies and equipment to provide safe and effective care to your patients. You have the right to refuse that patient care assignment if it places your health at risk.

We support and have signed the ANA’s petition to lobby the government to act quickly and get the needed supplies to the frontlines where they are needed. We encourage you to do the same through this link.

We have no doubt that the facilities you work with are doing their best to provide you with the supplies needed to deliver the best possible patient care. In the event you experience a shortage of the needed supplies please contact us so that we can work with your facility and advocate on your behalf.

Useful Resources:

Oregon BON position statement

CDC position on Pandemic Planning: Recommended Guidance for Extended Use and Limited Reuse of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators in  Healthcare settings