Sars

[tues]

How are all of you coping in Ontario and B.C. with the SARS outbreak. We in Ontario are now shut down and instead of assisting with surgery, we are spending out time screening patients and visitors to our hospital to see who can enter and who cannot. Some people are getting very irate about this situation, and are shooting the messenger, when it is the Minister of health who has decided to do this. I fell sorry for those who have had to wait months or years for their surgery, only to have it put off again. We are now looking at a 2-4 weeks shutdown. Any comments or stories.

[Sue Ryckman]

While we have no known cases in my area of the province, my sympathies are with everyone down south! If I'm finding the non-stop screening of patients/work men etc at the door to be frustrating, at least I'm not "in the thick of it". In our small facility, nursing does the screening 24hrs/day in addition to reception duties on weekends and after 5; I've had a family give me a bogus story about being in TO hospital and potential exposure to SARS, only to have them inform the doctor at a later date, that they probably overreacted and exaggerated!!! In fact, they had not even been to Toronto! This nonsense just increases our stress levels and makes us doubt other histories. People need to understand the significance of exposure, and that it isn't a joke.

[Little One2]

I'm currently working in the community. Last week, the nurses who worked in the community were told they could not work in the hospital and in the community at the same time in order to prevent spreading SARS.

Those nurses had to work only in the hospital.

Today, those nurses were told they can return to work in the community tomorrow.

This is a good sign. We still need to screen our patients when going into their home.

[epg_pei]

..but I heard a news report this morning that nurses in my region were being offered $100/hr to go to Toronto and help relieve the strain on nurses there. Not many were taking the deal. Just curious if anyone else heard this?

[epg_pei]

..but I heard a news report this morning that nurses in my region were being offered $100/hr to go to Toronto and help relieve the strain on nurses there. Not many were taking the deal. Just curious if anyone else heard this?

[fergus51]

I hadn't heard that. I did hear that our armed services may loan out some of their healthcare workers.

[fergus51]

I hadn't heard that. I did hear that our armed services may loan out some of their healthcare workers.

[toronto rn]

Hey, I want a piece of that action. 100/hr. I really don't think that will occur. Six weeks ago they were asking nurses to work at Scarborough Grace hosp. for triple pay- that was back when all the nurses and other health care workers were initially exposed and many became ill resulting in a devistating shortage. No-one volunteered then. Now almost all the nurses are back to work and in fact many nurses are not getting their hours because several hospitals are still closed and/or restricted function. Other nurses are suffering because we are restricted to specific facilities depending on the hospital rating. Agency nurses face restrictions as well - if you work with SARS patients some hospitals will not allow the nurses to go back to a facility that has no SARS. This is were the bulk of the problem lies- many nurses can't work with SARS patients because of very legitimate reasons- immunosuppression, pregnancy etc. Others don't want to because of risk to family and still others are restricted in some way because it will limit their ability to work at other facilities and result in a diminished income. But over all I haven't really seen that the situation is terrible at least not more that the usual shortage problems. The government has allotted a budget for extra nurses so that the nurses who have been working during the SARS crisis will get some respite. We have been using extra agency staff but since none will work with the SARS patients. They are all getting paid a lot of money to do regular work and staff nurses continue to take the risks and get regular pay. If the news you heard is true, and you are interested, come on down .. if nothing else it will be a good learning experience. I really think the risk is now very minimal providing good isolation practice is followed.

[toronto rn]

Hey, I want a piece of that action. 100/hr. I really don't think that will occur. Six weeks ago they were asking nurses to work at Scarborough Grace hosp. for triple pay- that was back when all the nurses and other health care workers were initially exposed and many became ill resulting in a devistating shortage. No-one volunteered then. Now almost all the nurses are back to work and in fact many nurses are not getting their hours because several hospitals are still closed and/or restricted function. Other nurses are suffering because we are restricted to specific facilities depending on the hospital rating. Agency nurses face restrictions as well - if you work with SARS patients some hospitals will not allow the nurses to go back to a facility that has no SARS. This is were the bulk of the problem lies- many nurses can't work with SARS patients because of very legitimate reasons- immunosuppression, pregnancy etc. Others don't want to because of risk to family and still others are restricted in some way because it will limit their ability to work at other facilities and result in a diminished income. But over all I haven't really seen that the situation is terrible at least not more that the usual shortage problems. The government has allotted a budget for extra nurses so that the nurses who have been working during the SARS crisis will get some respite. We have been using extra agency staff but since none will work with the SARS patients. They are all getting paid a lot of money to do regular work and staff nurses continue to take the risks and get regular pay. If the news you heard is true, and you are interested, come on down .. if nothing else it will be a good learning experience. I really think the risk is now very minimal providing good isolation practice is followed.

[toronto rn]

Just an update, Sunnybrook hospital is offering $100/hr to work in the SARS ICU- The government is footing the bill and will cover any quarantine or sick time if necessary. Any takers out there?

[toronto rn]

Just an update, Sunnybrook hospital is offering $100/hr to work in the SARS ICU- The government is footing the bill and will cover any quarantine or sick time if necessary. Any takers out there?

[fergus51]

I wish I had ICU experience!!!

[fergus51]

I wish I had ICU experience!!!