04-02-2020
The California Nurses Association and National Nurses United recently sent a flyer to members noting that Kaiser Permanente had threatened to fire nurses for wearing their own N95 masks. Kaiser nurses also claim that other protective gear is in short supply and that they have been told to reuse disposable protective gear to save supplies in the face of shortages brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Staff at the center have been caring for patients from the Grand Princess cruise ship, which had at least 21 passengers test positive for Covid-19, and have staged protests against the guidelines and lack of protective gear.
Kaiser spokesperson Marc Brown said firing nurses for using their own N95 gear is not the company’s official policy. Asked if nurses would not be disciplined if they wear their own masks, Brown responded, “That is not our policy. We provide the appropriate medical-grade protective equipment for the protocols and level of patient care being provided. We cannot assure the integrity of protective equipment not provided by Kaiser Permanente. We want them to wear equipment we can be sure is effective.”