Coworkers won't wear masks

[DCRN]

I work in an infectious disease clinic. I was asked to be the clinic safety administrator as the Covid 19 pandemic developed. I monitored CDC news, our Department of health press reports, taught staff (we have more admin/clerical staff than clinicians) about donning/doffing of PPE, and developed rules about masking, cleaning common areas. Nobody is consistently following the rules and I am uncomfortable with the near-complete lack of compliance Staff only wears masks if patients are in the office. The MD for whom I work never wears any PPE. When I asked our Practice Manager where we currently stood on the developed rules, she said "I guess we are kind of doing it." Is anyone else in a similar situation? I am really frustrated and appalled by the lack of caring for coworkers and for patients Thank you for reading

[JKL33]

30 minutes ago, londonflo said:

Now since the PPE is available the staff shuns it. That tells management that it was really no big deal working in March with "make/do" PPE supplies.

I have no doubt management sees it that way; typical lack of insight, understanding and critical thinking, combined with constant self-centered excuse-making. Plus it's practically sport to disparage front line staff. If corporate representatives weren't so self-centered and unthinking they would better understand that going through harrowing, life-threatening experiences (real or just realistically imminently possible) probably has the ability to alter people's view of what they believe to be lesser (or lessening) threats at some time in the future. Sort of an "We made it through that, why worry now?" kind of reaction. I think that's a plausible and fair reaction, even if not particularly correct. The bottom line is, numerous selfish business choices over years directly contributed to where we all found ourselves. And no one owns the right to declare how people must feel about or react to that.

I see this both ways: I think it's patently ridiculous to shun PPE now as you say; I don't know why anyone wouldn't gladly accept proper gear where it is now available, since COVID-19 hasn't gone away. I do support disciplinary action for not using PPE, I just also happen to think that the high and mighty corporate/management attitudes accompanying such policies are ludicrous at this point given the rest of their behavior.

1 hour ago, londonflo said:

It was just the usual whiners who noted the missing PPE. 

I don't know if you mean that management would tend to think ^ this way...or that it is your actual belief that those who you perceive to be the usual whiners were truly the only ones who complained (cared about) missing PPE. (?)

[londonflo]

1 hour ago, JKL33 said:

I think it's patently ridiculous to shun PPE now as you say;is now available, since COVID-19 hasn't gone away

I totally agree with you. I don't understand why some do not feel that the continuous use of PPE will keep the virus at bay until a vaccine is developed. My concern is after you request safety equipment and upon it's arrival you less interest in it, management may just totally ignore further requests for additional essential supplies.

[NewRN'16, ADN, RN]

I have co -workers who wear the mandatory surgical masks without covering their nose at the nurses station (LOL I'm not jk)

I used to bring it to their attention at first but then I realized it was intentional and they wouldn't change their "practice".

Sighs..

[DeeAngel]

File a complaint with JACHO and OSHA.

[lexotaNIL, BSN]

I think that is the common issue between ''infection control'' and the entire hospital staff. That is why that job is existing because there is something that you need to control not just the infection transmission itself but also the behavior of the staff. As a Nurse for how many years I am telling you PPE is something that we need to swallow more than our pride. It's a hindrance for us though it is a protection. I will give you an example like when you need to insert a cannula to a patient with difficult vein, to an obese patient and black skin tone.. really it is not something so easy. Sometimes we gotta remove our gloves to palpate the vein. And regarding the mask not all our comfortable wearing it.. It is something that you need to control, The best thing to do is make rounds all the time...really.. because some nurses wore PPE because of infection control's presence...hahaha kinda funny but true.

[NormaSaline]

On 6/15/2020 at 11:26 AM, NewRN'16 said:

I have co -workers who wear the mandatory surgical masks without covering their nose at the nurses station (LOL I'm not jk)

I used to bring it to their attention at first but then I realized it was intentional and they wouldn't change their "practice".

Sighs..

I hear ya, sister (or brother). Totally agree and 100% sympathize. As I said elsewhere, you (me) are the problem if you bring it to the attention of higher ups, who just walk on by. This is pathological, and I work in an otherwise, "good" place. SMDH.