New York nurses union to sue state health department, hospitals over equipment shortages

[babylonsister]

New York nurses union to sue state health department, hospitals over equipment shortages
By AMANDA EISENBERG
04/15/2020 04:49 PM EDT
Updated 04/15/2020 06:07 PM EDT


NEW YORK — The New York State Nurses Association plans to file three lawsuits on Monday over a lack of personal protective equipment and what it considers dangerous guidance issued by the state department of health during the coronavirus pandemic — the first legal action of its kind since the outbreak began.

The Montefiore Health System and Westchester Medical Center allegedly did not protect their nurses and provide them with adequate protective equipment — following guidance from the state health department to help health systems ration medical supplies, NYSNA members told POLITICO. The union confirmed a filing is likely Monday in state court.

Nurses have been asked to wear the same masks, gowns, face shields and other equipment for days on end — and find ways to keep the disposable items clean. In some cases, hospitals refused to provide protective equipment to nurses in certain divisions, like dialysis, and many health care workers have developed coronavirus.

The lack of equipment has plagued hospitals throughout the city.

“It is really, really bad. I showed up to work last night, and for each nurse you get a brown bag with one face shield and one N95 mask,” one nurse told POLITICO last month. “There’s bins to recycle the masks. We will soon be running out.”

Nearly three in four NYSNA members reported coronavirus exposure, and 57 percent of members said they had inadequate protective gear, according to a survey of 2,437 registered nurses. About 11 percent of registered nurses tested positive for the virus, NYSNA told POLITICO this week, though nurses said they believe the infection rate in their profession is much higher.

The union represents more than 42,000 nurses across the state.

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https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2020/04/15/new-york-nurses-union-to-sue-state-health-department-hospitals-over-equipment-shortages-1276580

[SheltieLover]

1. Should do class action against fed

if possible. 🤬