Important healthcare professionals with Covid-19 can return to the hospital even if they are still returning a positive test.
This is a move that unions call “a clear sign of a desperate health care system.”
The changes were announced on Tuesday by the director of public health physician Caroline McElney.
Christel Yardley / Stuff
Many health care workers have tested positive for the outbreak of Omicron. (File photo)
McElnay outlined two routes available to key healthcare professionals who tested positive for Covid-19. Both involve the return of health care workers to work before the end of the 10-day quarantine.
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“As our number of cases grows, a large number of staff will need to self-quarantine,” McElney said at a Covid-19 press conference on Tuesday.
“One arrangement introduced to address this allows Covid-19 staff to return to work faster than usual if critical medical services need to stop functioning in the absence.”
Robert Kitchen / Staff
Dr. Caroline McElney said many health care workers were positive and that measures are being taken. (File photo)
McElnay said that if positive health care workers return to work early, they must meet “strict standards” and safety measures are taken to protect health care workers, their patients, and their colleagues. Said.
“Staff’s health is checked daily and stops when symptoms appear or worsen,” says McElney.
She said Covid-positive health care workers can return to work without a stand-down period only if all other options are exhausted, but only in wards with Covid-positive patients. ..
McElnay said active healthcare professionals need to use appropriate N95 medical masks at work, follow infection control procedures, and pay attention in shared staff areas such as break rooms.
Active health care workers should avoid public transport when possible and follow standard advice on non-work community cases.
There are some conditions that healthcare professionals must meet before returning to work.
“”[Positive healthcare workers] You need complete vaccination and booster immunity, asymptomatic, or mild symptoms, and you need to work in a position where absenteeism puts essential services at risk, “says McElnay.
McElnay emphasized that staff must “agree to return” and “don’t feel pressure”.
The Toi Mata Hauora Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) said there is a reality that many staff may feel they have to get back to work.
“Our members have a keen sense of duty. They don’t want to disappoint their colleagues or see patients miss treatment,” said executive director Sara Dalton.
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When Covid-positive healthcare professionals return to work, they must meet strict criteria such as vaccination and booster vaccination. (File photo)
“All evidence tells us that anyone with Covid needs time to rest and recover properly. Whether these rules send the best message about the importance of the well-being of medical staff. not.”
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) said the measure was “a clear sign of a desperate health care system.”
“After years of negligence and a terrible lack of plans to deal with shortages, we are now in the midst of a serious pandemic and few nurses are available to fill the growing gap.” Said Kelly Nuk, a spokeswoman for the union.
“Symptoms can change very rapidly, so nurses are strongly advised to note that they commit. They should put their own well-being first.”
Dr. Vanessa Wienink, vice president of the New Zealand Medical Association, said the announcement “embosses the vulnerabilities of health care workers.”
RNZ
“We need to make sure that the hospital network is affordable for the worst infected,” says Health Minister Andrew Little.
“Healthcare professionals are at high risk of exposure to Omicron and have stand-down and isolation requirements. Double pain when overloaded medical systems try to operate when there are more staff shortages than usual. Will occur, “she said.
The director of public health acknowledged that healthcare workers may have to go to work on the same day that Covid tests positive.
“We are aware that there may be staff who may have to return to day 0 and we have support to make that possible. In such situations, they are with Covid-19 patients. Will only cooperate, “she said.
McElnay described this approach as “practical” and “balanced the risk of patient and hospital services failing.”
In addition, healthcare professionals are allowed to return to work on the sixth day of home quarantine if they return two negative rapid antigen tests (RATs).
There were 23,894 new Covid-19 cases reported on Tuesday, with 757 reported in hospitals, 16 in intensive care units or highly dependent units.
