On May 20, 2020, the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses, along with the other healthcare provider unions, signed a Joint Statement on Principles for Protecting the Health and Safety of Healthcare Workers, Patients, Clients, and Residents with the Government of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).

The goal - ensuring healthcare providers, following a point of care risk assessment, have the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) required to protect themselves and their patients, clients or residents from exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

"A point-of-care risk assessment (PCRA) must be performed before every patient, client or resident interaction, using current knowledge and best-available evidence. If a health care worker determines, based on reasonable grounds (including but not limited to professional and clinical judgement) that health and safety measures may be required in the delivery of care to the patient, client or resident, then the worker shall have access to the appropriate health and safety control measures based on the PCRA, including an N95 respirator. Employers will not unreasonably deny access to the appropriate PPE."

To ensure the safety of everyone - SUN encourages registered nurses, members of the healthcare team across all designations and positions, and Employers alike to apply the precautionary principle to PPE when caring for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive patients, clients or residents.

SUN members are reminded to invoke their right to have access to the appropriate PPE based on their PCRA and professional judgement as outlined and supported by the Joint Statement.

VIEW: Joint Statement on Principles for Protecting the Health and Safety of Healthcare Workers, Patients, Clients, and Residents

VIEW: Point of Care Risk Assessment Algorithm & Point of Care Risk Assessment Guidelines


Precautionary Principle & OH&S Law

A recent legal opinion posted by a leading Canadian law firm Osler, Hoskins & Harcourt LLP recommends employers “benchmark to current best practices” and follow “appropriate precautionary measures”:

“Where there is conflicting evidence as to whether a certain precautionary measure is required or not, hospitals should adopt the elevated precautionary measure(s). Hospitals should be cognizant that it will be the hospital that will be legally liable for any failures to protect patients and staff from harm, even if hospitals have relied on federal, provincial or municipal government directives in establishing its own plans, policies and procedures.”

Source: CFNU Safety Is Not Negotiable Pandemic Preparedness – the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)


Resources to keep you safe

In the December 14th Daily Rounds, the SHA reported the following clinical documents have been added (new) or updated on the SHA website.

NEW:

Updated/Revised:

  • CV-19 G0059 COVID-19 IPAC Recommendations for AGMPs Performed in Shared Spaces
    This document has been revised to separate out the sections for patients who meet clearance criteria and patients who do not meet clearance criteria and also to include that N95s are required for all AGMPs in ER/OR and for code blue management. This document better aligns with the COVID rapid safety update for AGMPs.

FYI - Code Blue Clinical Documents: