They locked up all the masks in security ?

cazzyprenurse, CNA · Mar 9, 2020

On 3/3/2020 at 8:07 AM, turtlesRcool said:
And the idea of wearing the same mask for the whole shift or putting the mask in a labeled baggie and re-wearing it? What idiots are working in their infection control department? Once you've worn it into an isolation room, it's contaminated. Who in their right minds thinks it's a good idea for me to get flu droplets all over my mask, and then wear the same mask into the room of a patient on protective neutropenic precautions?

So I don’t know all the details of the exact situation you’re referring to, but I’m wondering if there is a misunderstanding of the recommendation? We are using airborne, droplet, and contact precautions for Covid-19 patients at our hospital. I had a misunderstanding about reusing the N-95 masks as well.

Here’s how it has been explained:

- The N-95 mask addresses airborne precautions and is deemed reusable. My understanding is that only one mask can be used per provider per patient room. This only mask that hangs outside the patient’s door with your name on it.

- Over the N-95, we put the disposable mask with attached face shield for eye protection and contact precautions. This is disposed of every time you leave the room.

- We wear a gown. Also disposed of every time we leave the room.

- We wear gloves. Also disposed of every time we leave the room.

You get rid of all the disposable gear before leaving the room, then enter the ante room with your N-95 still on. You wash and dry your hands in the ante room then remove the N-95 (should be free of “droplet” precaution issues since there was another mask/shield over it) and put it outside in the bag to reuse when you re-enter the room.

I don’t think it’s ideal (even the N-95 masks are technically disposable), but now that I fully understand, I feel like it is probably balancing the overall risk decently, considering that it likely spreads in a similar manner to the flu and we evidently would be facing a shortage of the N-95 airborne precautions masks in the future if we don’t take precautions.

turtlesRcool · Mar 10, 2020

On 3/9/2020 at 1:52 AM, cazzyprenurse said:
So I don’t know all the details of the exact situation you’re referring to, but I’m wondering if there is a misunderstanding of the recommendation? We are using airborne, droplet, and contact precautions for Covid-19 patients at our hospital. I had a misunderstanding about reusing the N-95 masks as well.

The quote I was referring to is actually from another thread. On the first page, there are links to other threads. Right now I'm just seeing the URL, but when I wrote my comment, I could see that OP. Basically, one poster's hospital is giving one mask per shift. I could be wrong, but from the context, it sounds like s/he is talking about basic paper masks.

MrsClarex4 · Mar 11, 2020

They locked the masks up at my hospital as well, Mgt came around and took them off every floor, the only areas with them are ES and the OR, if we have a iso pt we must take the pt label to nursing office and get a 1 box for the shift, smh ?‍♀️it’s sad but we must ration.

Nurselexii · Mar 12, 2020

On 3/2/2020 at 11:58 AM, RegisteredNurseReneeRN said:
The other day at work (hospital), management came through and took EVERY BOX of masks off the floor! I asked if I could keep a few masks for my shift as one of my patients wasn’t A&O and kept hacking in my face during peri care, med pass, etc. so I’ve been wearing a mask In the room and she said no! Only for CONFIRMED droplet protection patients. ?
I don’t know about you guys, but sometimes if a patient is sneezing and coughing I will wear a mask when I go in the room. ?‍♀️
Anyone else have the same thing going on?

I know this stinks and isn't fair, I would just buy my own masks, the hospital wouldn’t care if the employee gets sick, but it would effect the employee if they do. I know its not fair, but see how they are treating you and act accordingly

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2020

On 3/2/2020 at 12:45 PM, adventure_rn said:
https://allnurses.com/coronavirus-supply-shortages-t715755/
https://allnurses.com/coronavirus-mask-shortage-t715915/
I think the idea behind locking masks up is to prevent patients from swiping entire handfuls of them when they're sitting out unprotected. There's such a huge shortage right now that hospitals are prioritizing them for the areas where they're needed most.

Where would that be?

Don't you think the OP is right to not want to be hacked on while caring for the pt she describes?

OP, you really make me angry. How could you just let these idiots do this to you? And just what is the procedure for getting masks?

turtlesRcool · Mar 12, 2020

13 hours ago, Kooky Korky said:
OP, you really make me angry. How could you just let these idiots do this to you?

Your anger is misplaced. What do you think OP should have done? How much power do you think OP has?

The fault lies with management for making asinine policies, not with workers who are trying to keep their jobs and provide for their families. Not everyone has the luxury of being in a position to risk getting fired.

Victim blaming is unkind and unhelpful.

Nurselexii · Mar 12, 2020

15 minutes ago, turtlesRcool said:
Your anger is misplaced. What do you think OP should have done? How much power do you think OP has?
The fault lies with management for making asinine policies, not with workers who are trying to keep their jobs and provide for their families. Not everyone has the luxury of being in a position to risk getting fired.
Victim blaming is unkind and unhelpful.

Oh honey I think he was just pulling her leg ?:),

turtlesRcool · Mar 12, 2020

1 minute ago, Nurselexii said:
Oh honey I think he was just pulling her leg ?:),

I hope so, but I've seen some strange ideas here on AN

futrnursenickii, BSN, CNA, RN · Mar 20, 2020

So I am a nursing student and I work in the lab at the hospital and they won’t really let us have any N95 masks but the nurses can use them but they have to reuse them as well

pediatricjody · Mar 28, 2020

Masks, gloves, sanitizer should have already been removed from public access. Limited supplies should be on the unit. This protects the supply for the staff (including housekeeping, dietary) who need it. Personally I have always donned a mask if the patient coughs or has respiratory illness.