One of the most worrisome aspect of the current opening of the economy and increased mobility is that we have not developed sufficiently the infrastructure for surveillance, identification of clusters, containment, testing, case and contact tracing and isolating. The purpose of the lockdown was twofold; 1) to mitigate community transmission and prevent hospitals from crumbling, and 2) to build the public health infrastructure for testing and tracing required to go back to some level of normality.

Debunking PPE myths with Dr. Jeff Powis: Which masks should health care workers wear during COVID-19? Dr. Jeff Powis used a black light to demonstrate the potential self-contamination risks when donning and doffing a surgical earloop mask and a mask with horizontal straps (N95 mask). Results found that self-contamination was higher with the use of an N95 mask.

As of Tuesday, May 19, 2020, RNAO’s VIANurse program will provide staffing assistance only to health facilities with active COVID-19 outbreaks. Health organizations – in all sectors – not facing a COVID-19 outbreak, but looking to fulfill their ongoing staffing needs in nursing and other health professions, are asked to advertise as always in RNAO’s job board, RNCareers.ca

With the pandemic curve flattening, VIANurse program will focus its effort on outbreaks The pandemic caused a sudden spike in demand for nursing human resources across the healthcare system. RNAO planned and was ready for it. Indeed, we were the first out the door addressing growing shortages, as many RNs, NPs and PSWs were being quarantined and/or falling sick, and staffing needs escalated together with the acuity of many settings.

We have received a number of communications expressing concern regarding the restrictions on pandemic pay to certain groups. Here is a letter from RNAO member Leslie Wight expressing disappointment for not being included in pandemic pay.

Our Nursing Week activities have been in full swing! All events this year emphasized the critical role of nurses and health professions during COVID-19. Here is a recap of our virtual activities so far.

The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) joins its nursing colleagues and the entire health-care community in mourning the death of RN Brian Beattie. Brian, who was 55-years-old, was an expert mental health nurse who worked at Kensington Village.  

RNAO joins its nursing colleagues and the entire health-care community in mourning the death of RN Brian Beattie. Brian, who was 55-years-old, was an expert mental health nurse who worked at Kensington Village.