Minnesota Nurses Association Demands Change in Minnesota Department of Health Recommendations for Respiratory Protection for Health Care Workers

ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Minnesota's Department of Health may be putting nurses' health at risk amidst a pandemic influenza outbreak. The Minnesota Department of Health's position on respiratory protection for healthcare workers exposed to confirmed or suspected cases of H1N1 defies national guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Controls. MDH, along with a few other state health agencies, has taken the position that a surgical mask is sufficient respiratory protection unless the patient is undergoing an aerosol producing treatment.

Several times since October, MNA staff relayed the organization's deep concerns to MDH officials regarding the state policy, but have met resistance and unwillingness to examine the facts.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has determined, and recently reaffirmed, that N95 respirators or Personal Air-Powered Respirators (PAPRs) are the appropriate level of respiratory protection in exposure to H1N1. There is clear evidence that the H1N1 virus remains suspended in the air for twenty (20) minutes, to a distance of six (6) feet, after an infected patient coughs.

The same evidence clearly demonstrates that a nurse wearing a surgical mask has significant exposure to the virus, whereas a nurse wearing an N95 respirator has virtually none. If there are not sufficient N95 respirators available, then the employers should be using PAPRs (or other approved National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety) to provide adequate protection and taking all necessary steps to implement other relevant CDC recommendations.

"We are dealing with a pandemic. This is not a state-by-state issue; it is a national issue which requires a consistent national approach," said Bettye Shogren, RN, MNA Health and Safety Specialist, and nationally renowned expert in workplace safety. "It is a serious problem when standards for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are different from one part of this country to another," she added.

On November 3, Shogren delivered a letter directly to MDH Commissioner, Dr. Sanne Magnan who has the final authority on the policy. The letter clearly illustrates the chaos and confusion resulting from MDH's position, and states in part:

It is my understanding that Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is enforcing the CDC recommendations regarding respiratory protection. As a waivered state, Minnesota OSHA must have a Respiratory Protection Standard at least as comprehensive as the Federal OSHA does. I met with Minnesota OSHA Compliance on November 2, 2009, and was informed they will enforce the CDC Guidelines for H1N1. The Minnesota Department of Health's position places employers in a position where following the Department of Health's direction places them at risk of violation of OSHA Standards.

On behalf of the 21,800 members of the Minnesota Nurses Association, I am requesting the Minnesota Department of Health to rescind its position related to respiratory protection, follow the CDC recommendations regarding respiratory protection for healthcare workers exposed to patients who have been confirmed or are suspected to have H1N1, and notify all healthcare employers of the change in position.

MNA has also requested a meeting with Dr. Magnan on the issue. More information will be posted on MNA's website at www.mnnurses.org/healthandsafety.

The Minnesota Nurses Association is the largest and fastest-growing union for registered nurses in Minnesota and the Midwest. Representing more than 20,000 nurses, MNA is a multi-purpose organization that promotes high standards for nursing education and practice, and works to advance the profession through collective bargaining and legislative activity.