I am an RN working full time in the ED. Every shift I am subjected to below par PPE standards. Asked to re-use N95 and surgical masks for multiple patients, covid or not. So it was not to my surprise when I got a call informing me a patient I had provided care for later had a positive covid 19 test. I was informed to contact our employee health if I developed symptoms. A few days later I had a cough, sore throat, HA, fatigue and sneezing. I contacted my employee health as instructed, a test was ordered, I was instructed to remain at home til I received my results. Unfortunately I am still waiting......
My issue with the situation is that my employer has already let me know the repercussions of a negative test, should that be my result.
I will receive an occurrence for missing my shift while awaiting test results. (The quantine was orderd by employee health)
I will have to use my accrued PTO to cover any hours missed while in quantine awaiting my test results.
I will also have the weekend shifts I miss counted against me while in quantine awaiting results. Meaning I can have less weekend shifts off for the remainder of the year.
As an employee I have always helped when it comes to providing for our adopted Christmas family or the food drives. As an ED nurse I am in the frontline of this pandemic, caring for those in need, risking my own health for lack of PPE. This has been extremely difficult for me to understand how the hospital I work for can treat me this way as I await my results.
The community has been amazing and supportive of our ED staff. They have given snacks, meals, encouragement and thanks this entire time. However, the hospital I work for can't do the same. It is shameful to work for such an organization.
I will have to use my accrued PTO to cover any hours missed while in quantine awaiting my test results.
I will also have the weekend shifts I miss counted against me while in quantine awaiting results. Meaning I can have less weekend shifts off for the remainder of the year.
As an employee I have always helped when it comes to providing for our adopted Christmas family or the food drives. As an ED nurse I am in the frontline of this pandemic, caring for those in need, risking my own health for lack of PPE. This has been extremely difficult for me to understand how the hospital I work for can treat
That is the reason we have unions,abuse like this is disgraceful,while hospitals have been given broad powers this is abusive.
Double check the info,and ask for the written proof of this policy.Keep records,get proof, then you can always complain to NLRB and report them to OHSA,which you should to document the lack of PPE.
Unions are of no help. I was told to be off work by employee health while I had symptoms. I will receive an occurance and will have to use PTO. My boss checked with the union and that is also what they said.
But... before we log into work we have to attest that we don’t have any symptoms nor does anyone in the household. If they do we have to go home. For 7 days or longer. Then we get an occurance and have to use PTO.
I just don’t understand it. The Coronavirus act by the federal government does not help the majority of us health care workers. It helps all other people it seems.
There are people making more money off unemployment than they ever did working with the now $600 extra per week. Think of the college students and waiters, bartenders, etc with PT jobs. They can qualify and then the extra $2500.00 PER MONTH is not measured and is not taxed. They just get it. WTH?
@lokelaniRn how does one prove they caught COVID-19 at work when it’s spreading rapidly through the community?
Need to double check the source, but.....
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
UPDATED QUESTION & ANSWER (March 9, 2020) My employee alleges that they contracted the coronavirus while at work. Will this result in a compensable workers’ compensation claim?
It depends. If the employee is a health care worker or first responder, the answer is likely yes (subject to variations in state law). For other categories of employees, a compensable workers’ compensation claim is possible, but the analysis would be very fact-specific.
It is important to note that the workers’ compensation system is a no-fault system, meaning that an employee claiming a work-related injury does not need to prove negligence on the part of the employer. Instead, the employee need only prove that the injury occurred at work and was proximately caused by their employment. Additionally, the virus is not an “injury” but is instead analyzed under state law to determine if it is an “occupational disease.” To be an occupational disease (again subject to state law variations), an employee must generally show two things:
the illness or disease must be “occupational,” meaning that it arose out of and was in the course of employment; and the illness or disease must arise out of or be caused by conditions peculiar to the work and creates a risk of contracting the disease in a greater degree and in a different manner than in the public generally. The general test in determining whether an injury “arises out of and in the course of employment” is whether the employee was involved in some activity where they were benefitting the employer and was exposed to the virus. Importantly, special consideration will be given to health care workers and first responders, as these employees will likely enjoy a presumption that any communicable disease was contracted as the result of employment. This would also include plant nurses and physicians who are exposed to the virus while at the worksite.
As for other categories of employees, compensability for a workers’ compensation claim will be determined on a case-by-case basis. The key point will be whether the employee contracted the virus at work and whether the contraction of the disease was “peculiar” to their employment. Even if the employer takes all of the right steps to protect the employees from exposure, a compensable claim may be determined where the employee can show that they contracted the virus after an exposure, the exposure was peculiar to the work, and there are no alternative means of exposure demonstrated.
Absent state legislation on this topic, an employee seeking workers’ compensation benefits for a coronavirus infection will still have to provide medical evidence to support the claim. Employers who seek to contest such a claim may be able to challenge the allowance if there is another alternative exposure or if the employee’s medical evidence is merely speculative.
Finally, employers should be aware that states are taking action on this issue. For instance, Washington Governor Jay Inslee recently directed his Department of Labor and Industries to “ensure” workers’ compensation protections for health care workers and first responders. The directive instructs the Department to change its policies regarding coverage for these two groups and to “provide benefits to these workers during the time they’re quarantined after being exposed to COVID-129 on the job.” We expect other states to follow Washington’s lead.
Employee on Leave Related to Employee’s Own Quarantine or Isolation Order
An employee who is unable to perform the regular duties of employment or the duties of any other employment that his or her employer may offer, as a result of an order of mandatory or precautionary quarantine or isolation, meets the requirements to receive (1) paid sick leave, (2) PFL benefits, and (3) DBL benefits.
The usual DBL waiting period has been waived so that benefits can be paid out immediately following exhaustion of any available New York COVID-19 paid sick leave. Following use of any available New York COVID-19 paid sick leave, an eligible employee can receive PFL benefits up to 60% of pay capped at $840.70 per week. If the PFL benefits do not result in full wage replacement, the employee can receive disability benefits to equal his or her full pay up to a maximum weekly disability benefit of $2,043.92, for a total of $2,884.62 per week.
Previously, employees were not permitted to receive DBL and PFL benefits concurrently.
Hi there. I had a very similar experience at a level 1 I work at in LA. I have been in the ED/trauma for 5 years now, went in out of school. When this first started we immediately had all PPE taken from us and locked away. We only had access to gloves and an N95 would not be issued unless the patient tested positive. At this time tests results were taking 7-10days. So that whole time you were only given one surgical mask for the entire shift and no N95 not even during aerosolizing procedures. I got in a confrontation with my manager because I had a highly likely covid patient. She refused to give me a N95 and wouldn’t give me a replacement surgical mask which had been soiled with blood during a thoracotomy. She rolled her eyes, ridiculed me, and even cursed in front of patients and other staff at the nurses station for simply asking. They had 6 boxes approx 3ft by 3ft full of N95s in the charge office which we all knew were in there yet she continued to refuse. I got angry and left. We were not allowed to bring in our own PPE either. 5 mins after this argument a code assist was called to our parking lot. I happened to be the closest so I sprinted out to find a 38 yr old woman who had her child in the car as well in severe respiratory distress and she arrested in front of me. With no PPE I started compressions and Continued to run the code in the hospital for 20 mins until someone put a mask on my face. A physician then attempted to take it off of me saying I didn’t need one only the docs do because they get closer to the patients during intubation, I was doing CPR. I told him I would leave him toothless if he came anywhere near me. We called it and our infectious disease doc walked in stating it wasn’t a covid case, which it clearly was, no one fill out a sign in sheet. We won’t even test her. Three days later I’m called into employee health and told that I was exposed and reprimanded and written up for not wearing proper PPE that I was denied access too. I’m quarantined and sent home and told that they would be paying me out of my own hours. I became sick on day 4 of quarantine and was sick for 26 days. Back at work and suddenly every room is airborne precautions and everyone is mandated to wear a mask at all times even though they are still being reused even between patients. I was told the same thing if I tested negative (I was positive) I wouldn’t be paid period. I’m suffering right now and doing my best to keep it together mentally. 26 days was a long time to be alone and dwell on this absolute Lack of care for our lives. Is any of this legal? I’m so close to handing my manager my badge and kicking his ***
Hi there. I had a very similar experience at a level 1 I work at in LA. I have been in the ED/trauma for 5 years now, went in out of school. When this first started we immediately had all PPE taken from us and locked away. We only had access to gloves and an N95 would not be issued unless the patient tested positive. At this time tests results were taking 7-10days. So that whole time you were only given one surgical mask for the entire shift and no N95 not even during aerosolizing procedures. I got in a confrontation with my manager because I had a highly likely covid patient. She refused to give me a N95 and wouldn’t give me a replacement surgical mask which had been soiled with blood during a thoracotomy. She rolled her eyes, ridiculed me, and even cursed in front of patients and other staff at the nurses station for simply asking. They had 6 boxes approx 3ft by 3ft full of N95s in the charge office which we all knew were in there yet she continued to refuse. I got angry and left. We were not allowed to bring in our own PPE either. 5 mins after this argument a code assist was called to our parking lot. I happened to be the closest so I sprinted out to find a 38 yr old woman who had her child in the car as well in severe respiratory distress and she arrested in front of me. With no PPE I started compressions and Continued to run the code in the hospital for 20 mins until someone put a mask on my face. A physician then attempted to take it off of me saying I didn’t need one only the docs do because they get closer to the patients during intubation, I was doing CPR. I told him I would leave him toothless if he came anywhere near me. We called it and our infectious disease doc walked in stating it wasn’t a covid case, which it clearly was, no one fill out a sign in sheet. We won’t even test her. Three days later I’m called into employee health and told that I was exposed and reprimanded and written up for not wearing proper PPE that I was denied access too. I’m quarantined and sent home and told that they would be paying me out of my own hours. I became sick on day 4 of quarantine and was sick for 26 days. Back at work and suddenly every room is airborne precautions and everyone is mandated to wear a mask at all times even though they are still being reused even between patients. I was told the same thing if I tested negative (I was positive) I wouldn’t be paid period. I’m suffering right now and doing my best to keep it together mentally. 26 days was a long time to be alone and dwell on this absolute Lack of care for our lives. Is any of this legal? I’m so close to handing my manager my badge and kicking his ***
Any way you could give a hint as to facility? I am certain that many, both prospective employees and patients alike, would find such information useful in the future.
Hi there. I had a very similar experience at a level 1 I work at in LA. I have been in the ED/trauma for 5 years now, went in out of school. When this first started we immediately had all PPE taken from us and locked away. We only had access to gloves and an N95 would not be issued unless the patient tested positive. At this time tests results were taking 7-10days. So that whole time you were only given one surgical mask for the entire shift and no N95 not even during aerosolizing procedures. I got in a confrontation with my manager because I had a highly likely covid patient. She refused to give me a N95 and wouldn’t give me a replacement surgical mask which had been soiled with blood during a thoracotomy. She rolled her eyes, ridiculed me, and even cursed in front of patients and other staff at the nurses station for simply asking. They had 6 boxes approx 3ft by 3ft full of N95s in the charge office which we all knew were in there yet she continued to refuse. I got angry and left. We were not allowed to bring in our own PPE either. 5 mins after this argument a code assist was called to our parking lot. I happened to be the closest so I sprinted out to find a 38 yr old woman who had her child in the car as well in severe respiratory distress and she arrested in front of me. With no PPE I started compressions and Continued to run the code in the hospital for 20 mins until someone put a mask on my face. A physician then attempted to take it off of me saying I didn’t need one only the docs do because they get closer to the patients during intubation, I was doing CPR. I told him I would leave him toothless if he came anywhere near me. We called it and our infectious disease doc walked in stating it wasn’t a covid case, which it clearly was, no one fill out a sign in sheet. We won’t even test her. Three days later I’m called into employee health and told that I was exposed and reprimanded and written up for not wearing proper PPE that I was denied access too. I’m quarantined and sent home and told that they would be paying me out of my own hours. I became sick on day 4 of quarantine and was sick for 26 days. Back at work and suddenly every room is airborne precautions and everyone is mandated to wear a mask at all times even though they are still being reused even between patients. I was told the same thing if I tested negative (I was positive) I wouldn’t be paid period. I’m suffering right now and doing my best to keep it together mentally. 26 days was a long time to be alone and dwell on this absolute Lack of care for our lives. Is any of this legal? I’m so close to handing my manager my badge and kicking his ***
If you were sick for 26 days, did you file FMLA? You need to consult an attorney, and put things down in writing, specifics etc.
Unions are of no help. I was told to be off work by employee health while I had symptoms. I will receive an occurance and will have to use PTO. My boss checked with the union and that is also what they said.
But... before we log into work we have to attest that we don’t have any symptoms nor does anyone in the household. If they do we have to go home. For 7 days or longer. Then we get an occurance and have to use PTO.
I just don’t understand it. The Coronavirus act by the federal government does not help the majority of us health care workers. It helps all other people it seems.
There are people making more money off unemployment than they ever did working with the now $600 extra per week. Think of the college students and waiters, bartenders, etc with PT jobs. They can qualify and then the extra $2500.00 PER MONTH is not measured and is not taxed. They just get it. WTH?
9 hours ago, ERRNlosangeles said:
Hi there. I had a very similar experience at a level 1 I work at in LA. I have been in the ED/trauma for 5 years now, went in out of school. When this first started we immediately had all PPE taken from us and locked away. We only had access to gloves and an N95 would not be issued unless the patient tested positive. At this time tests results were taking 7-10days. So that whole time you were only given one surgical mask for the entire shift and no N95 not even during aerosolizing procedures. I got in a confrontation with my manager because I had a highly likely covid patient. She refused to give me a N95 and wouldn’t give me a replacement surgical mask which had been soiled with blood during a thoracotomy. She rolled her eyes, ridiculed me, and even cursed in front of patients and other staff at the nurses station for simply asking. They had 6 boxes approx 3ft by 3ft full of N95s in the charge office which we all knew were in there yet she continued to refuse. I got angry and left. We were not allowed to bring in our own PPE either. 5 mins after this argument a code assist was called to our parking lot. I happened to be the closest so I sprinted out to find a 38 yr old woman who had her child in the car as well in severe respiratory distress and she arrested in front of me. With no PPE I started compressions and Continued to run the code in the hospital for 20 mins until someone put a mask on my face. A physician then attempted to take it off of me saying I didn’t need one only the docs do because they get closer to the patients during intubation, I was doing CPR. I told him I would leave him toothless if he came anywhere near me. We called it and our infectious disease doc walked in stating it wasn’t a covid case, which it clearly was, no one fill out a sign in sheet. We won’t even test her. Three days later I’m called into employee health and told that I was exposed and reprimanded and written up for not wearing proper PPE that I was denied access too. I’m quarantined and sent home and told that they would be paying me out of my own hours. I became sick on day 4 of quarantine and was sick for 26 days. Back at work and suddenly every room is airborne precautions and everyone is mandated to wear a mask at all times even though they are still being reused even between patients. I was told the same thing if I tested negative (I was positive) I wouldn’t be paid period. I’m suffering right now and doing my best to keep it together mentally. 26 days was a long time to be alone and dwell on this absolute Lack of care for our lives. Is any of this legal? I’m so close to handing my manager my badge and kicking his ***
This is just insane. Stories like this should go to the press so people can hear how their "hero's" are being treated by employers while the average joe who loses employment is getting $2400.00/month free and clear on top of whatever unemployment they qualify for.
I am not against the unemployed receiving additional help mind you but I am starting to agree with WInurse. Why are the unemployed getting that much extra tax free money while health care workers are going to the job every day, risking their own health caring for others, being used and abused by their employers and the government and getting nothing in return?
Any way you could give a hint as to facility? I am certain that many, both prospective employees and patients alike, would find such information useful in the future.
Absolutely I work for a county hospital at one of the two large ones. They are referred to sister hospitals. And I’m at the smaller of the two. Not sure if I will get in trouble for directly naming it. I’m new on here. I don’t know all the rules
If you were sick for 26 days, did you file FMLA? You need to consult an attorney, and put things down in writing, specifics etc.
I did not file. So I was off for 26 days minus one day in the middle. They forced me to come out of quarantine because I hadn’t had a fever for 3 days and I was right at day 14 of quarantine even though I was still obviously very sick. I worked one shift when home and got even worse. At 28 years old my resting O2 sat sitting on the couch was 92%. Left that out because I was trying not to make it too lengthy for you guys
Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN
1,348 Posts
That is the reason we have unions,abuse like this is disgraceful,while hospitals have been given broad powers this is abusive.
Double check the info,and ask for the written proof of this policy.Keep records,get proof, then you can always complain to NLRB and report them to OHSA,which you should to document the lack of PPE.