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.

[JMP]

Well, I do have ICU experience.

However, I have only heard about this ( government offering big bucks to get ICU RN's to work in Sars affected hospitals )thru this board.

I have no idea how on earth they will ever get RN's with ICU experience to work there....why? Because we are chronically understaffed everywhere....ICU nuses are in high demand and I am not sure what can be done.

SInce I am full time in a close Ontario ICU, and with summer months coming, I think it will take government intervention for any of us to be able to go and help out in Toronto...since it would no doubt mean a further shortage where I am, which then leads to cancellation of surgeries, since we also staff a cardiac intensive care unit as well.

Toronto RN- what can you tell me about this government offer, I mean it is pointed at ICU RN's that are causal at other facilities? Is it directed at ICU RN's that are home, not working?

I guess the other thing would be that we would have to take a leave of absence? ( if we are full time )

THe other thing would be this...would they be willing for a RN from a "clean" ICU, ( in other words no SARS) to work in an affected area and then return home and resume the position? Or I am thinking we would have to go into a 10 day quarantine and then return to work?

[JMP]

Well, I do have ICU experience.

However, I have only heard about this ( government offering big bucks to get ICU RN's to work in Sars affected hospitals )thru this board.

I have no idea how on earth they will ever get RN's with ICU experience to work there....why? Because we are chronically understaffed everywhere....ICU nuses are in high demand and I am not sure what can be done.

SInce I am full time in a close Ontario ICU, and with summer months coming, I think it will take government intervention for any of us to be able to go and help out in Toronto...since it would no doubt mean a further shortage where I am, which then leads to cancellation of surgeries, since we also staff a cardiac intensive care unit as well.

Toronto RN- what can you tell me about this government offer, I mean it is pointed at ICU RN's that are causal at other facilities? Is it directed at ICU RN's that are home, not working?

I guess the other thing would be that we would have to take a leave of absence? ( if we are full time )

THe other thing would be this...would they be willing for a RN from a "clean" ICU, ( in other words no SARS) to work in an affected area and then return home and resume the position? Or I am thinking we would have to go into a 10 day quarantine and then return to work?

[toronto rn]

Hi JMP, Sunnybrook hospital was looking for 10 RN's with ICU experience to cover the unit with SARS because of the nurses that are off ill with SARS. They needed immediate help and from what I heard all the spots were filled within a few hours. Many of the nurses that committed to the positions already work agency. I believe that the nurses would not be able to travel between hospitals .. so would have to take a leave from other work. No quarantine necessary unless unprotected exposure occurs, which is the same at any other institution, including mine.

Just an aside... I wish the city would get another spokesperson in besides Mel Lastman he really doesn't look well himself, and he isn't doing the city any favors with his disorganized emotional manner.

[toronto rn]

Hi JMP, Sunnybrook hospital was looking for 10 RN's with ICU experience to cover the unit with SARS because of the nurses that are off ill with SARS. They needed immediate help and from what I heard all the spots were filled within a few hours. Many of the nurses that committed to the positions already work agency. I believe that the nurses would not be able to travel between hospitals .. so would have to take a leave from other work. No quarantine necessary unless unprotected exposure occurs, which is the same at any other institution, including mine.

Just an aside... I wish the city would get another spokesperson in besides Mel Lastman he really doesn't look well himself, and he isn't doing the city any favors with his disorganized emotional manner.