More than 800 employees of the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS were absent due to the COVID-19 protocol on December 30, a situation that requires some members to return to work as quickly as possible, according to the president of the Syndicat des professionals in care.
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After seven days of isolation, asymptomatic positive employees can return to work if a nurse assessment has been completed.
The service targeted by this decision is indeed in breach of service and employees must normally wear an N95 mask, an instruction which is however not always respected.
“The CIUSSS calls the nurses and asks them a few questions. We have the case of a nurse who had to return to work despite symptoms, ”admitted Sophie Séguin, president of the Union of nursing professionals of the Eastern Townships.
“The situation is under control with the load shedding, but it is a fragile balance,” said Dr. Benoit Heppell, head of the department of general medicine at the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS.
With the rise in hospitalizations, hospitals in the Eastern Townships must turn to load shedding. If the practice is common during the holiday season, the situation is special this year.
“In previous years, there was a bit of load shedding to give health staff time off. What’s special this year is that we don’t know when it’s going to end, ”added Dr Heppell.
As if that weren’t enough, non-urgent blood work appointments on January 5, 6 and 7 are all postponed due to a lack of blood collection tubes.
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