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David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
#nbpoli#cdnpoli
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/covid-19-campbellton-hospital-staff-unsafe-protocols-1.5616562
· CBC News· Posted: Jun 18, 2020 6:00 AM AT
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Some employees at the Campbellton Regional Hospital are calling for better personal protective equipment after at least 10 co-workers test positive for COVID-19. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
Some staff who have worked on the COVID-19 unit of the Campbellton Regional Hospital say they do not feel safe under the existing safety protocols.
"It's not safe. I don't feel safe," one employee said of the working conditions inside the hospital at the centre of the outbreak of coronavirus in the Zone 5 health region.
Three health-care workers are speaking out as the number of infected staff and those forced into isolation grows. CBC News has agreed not to identify the workers, who say they have been warned by Vitalité not to talk to the news media.
As of Wednesday, 10 employees had tested positive for the virus and 31 others are self-isolating. Vitalité Health Network announced Saturday that the hospital is effectively on lockdown in closing its emergency room, cancelling non-urgent services and prohibiting visits.
The presence of COVID-19 in the hospital has led staff to question the effectiveness of key protocols to reduce the risks of transmission and call on Vitalité for change. The employees say staff have been refused extra protection when treating COVID-19 patients, and lax protocols create a risk of spread throughout the hospital.
The employees say they're fearful of bringing the virus home to vulnerable family members.
"Do I want to bring that home to them?" said one employee. "Adults are having a hard time breaking the fever from it. I don't want to see my kids fighting this virus."
Vitalité CEO Gilles Lanteigne said during a virtual media scrum Wednesday the health authority is "very, very confident" in the current controls and continues to follow best practices.
"I think what you're hearing by some of the staff is that they're worried, they're concerned," he said. "That's why our role is to reassure them that the techniques and their training are good."
The outbreak has resulted in more than 40 new cases, a handful of new hospitalizations — there are four currently — and New Brunswick's first two COVID-related deaths.
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The Campbellton Regional Hospital has been at the centre of the cluster of COVID-19 cases in Zone 5. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
The three employees all described the same series of protocols they viewed as problematic as the cluster grew and made its way into the hospital. The most concerning include:
One employee said COVID-19 unit staff would change gloves between patients but not gowns, which, they say, does not follow standard PPE procedure. Surgical or procedure masks are changed every break, they said, and replacement masks aren't on the unit.
"I had a positive COVID patient cough in my direct line of fire, right in my face, and it was not the patient's fault," one employee said. "[The supervisor] said, 'You should've put a mask on their face, and I said, 'How am I supposed to do that when there aren't replacement masks on the unit?"
Lanteigne confirmed Wednesday at least one of the infected employees had not set foot in the COVID-19 unit.
![]()
Gilles Lanteigne, president and CEO of Vitalité Health Network, says he's 'very, very confident' in the current prevention measures at the hospital. (Radio-Canada)
He said a "number of factors" have contributed to the spread in the hospital, but staff have not been "on their guards as much as they should be" in the break room, describing their attitude as "pre-pandemic." He did not elaborate on the other possible factors.
The masks filter out 95 per cent of airborne particles and are considered critical personal protective equipment for front-line health-care workers.
"I don't understand why we aren't wearing them," said an employee involved in more routine patient care, saying their options are a mask with a face shield or a surgical mask with goggles.
"I, personally, wear glasses, and my glasses fog up very easily wearing masks, the face shield especially, because all the air just goes up into the face shield and fogs my glasses. If the air is escaping the regular mask, that means we can breathe in [droplets]."
![]()
Hospital staff are calling on their employer and Public Health for wider use of the N95 mask. (Justin Fraser/CBC)
Vitalité has told staff surgical and procedure masks suffice when treating patients, and N95 masks should be limited to "specific cases, for example, if an aerosol generating medical procedure (AGMP) is performed on a patient of if a patient is undergoing a diagnostic bronchoscopy."
That was the response staff received from Vitalité and subsequently leaked to CBC News.
"In most cases, the full PPE including gloves, gown, surgery or procedure mask and eye protection is appropriate when providing care to a COVID-19 patient or a suspected COVID-19 patient," said the statement attributed to Gisèle Beaulieu, vice-president of performance and quality and vice-chair of the infection prevention and control committee.
The health authority maintained Wednesday it has followed the prevention and control protocols set by the provincial Public Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
"That's been the advice during the entire pandemic."
![]()
Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer, says the supply of PPE in New Brunswick health-care centres is well-maintained. (Government of New Brunswick)
Russell said an aerosol-generating procedure produces droplets that become airborne, creating a risk of transmission, and staff have access to the masks in those instances.
Both Russell and Lanteigne said the supply of PPE is well maintained and that Vitalité is reviewing its prevention procedures.
The memo said the guidelines at the two regional health authorities for managing COVID-19 patients complied with federal guidelines.
"Liberalizing use of PPE beyond our current guidelines will only serve to provide a false sense of security and rapidly exhaust a finite supply," it said.
On N95 masks, the memo stated they "do not provide superior protection" against COVID-19 except during medical procedures that trigger aerosol spray from patients.
![]()
Pictured is the March 31 memo about personal protective equipment protocol. (Submitted)
A revised memo, issued in early April, clarified that N95 masks "must be used" in any room where aerosol-generating procedures "are being performed, are frequent or probable, or with any intubated patients."
It was agreed to by the province, the two health authorities, Medavie Health Services NB, as well as the New Brunswick Nurses Union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the New Brunswick Union.
The memos came as the number of COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick was growing and after the province had difficulty securing N95 masks from a U.S. manufacturer.
Asked if the protocols should be changed at this point in the pandemic, considering the province's active cases are almost entirely in the Campbellton region, Public Health maintained the directives in the memo remain best practice.
Bruce Macfarlane, communications director for the Department of Health, said in an emailed statement on June 12 that a joint statement between employers and unions "set the bar high" for appropriate and safe PPE use — requirements also reviewed by WorkSafeNB.
"We understand the anxiety that this outbreak is causing amongst staff and have been assured that Vitalité is having discussions with our workers in Campbellton to better understand how transmission occurred in the facility in order to address any gaps that may exist," Macfarlane said.
Lanteigne said Wednesday about half of the 41 employees now off work will return by next Friday. He said the majority of affected hospital staff are nurses.
The nurses union told Radio-Canada on Friday that it's had many discussions regarding PPE with the province's COVID-19 task force, and president Paula Doucet said the current use of N95 "has been the advice during the entire pandemic."
The union has not responded to a CBC News question on whether the policy would be revisited in light of its members' concerns.
David Amos
jacques laviolette
Yes , where is the minister of health, when missing after is fiasco with closing ER at some hospital, people in region 5 are treated like we all have the virus when traveling outside region 5, more than 98% of residents in region 5 DON'T HAVE VIRUS, but
Mr Premier and Dr Rusell keep saying don't leave region 5
David Amos
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
#nbpoli#cdnpoli
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/covid-19-campbellton-hospital-staff-unsafe-protocols-1.5616562
'It's not safe': Campbellton hospital staff troubled by working conditions amid COVID-19 outbreak
3 employees say protocols not strong enough, staff denied extra PPE
· CBC News· Posted: Jun 18, 2020 6:00 AM AT
Some employees at the Campbellton Regional Hospital are calling for better personal protective equipment after at least 10 co-workers test positive for COVID-19. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
Some staff who have worked on the COVID-19 unit of the Campbellton Regional Hospital say they do not feel safe under the existing safety protocols.
"It's not safe. I don't feel safe," one employee said of the working conditions inside the hospital at the centre of the outbreak of coronavirus in the Zone 5 health region.
Three health-care workers are speaking out as the number of infected staff and those forced into isolation grows. CBC News has agreed not to identify the workers, who say they have been warned by Vitalité not to talk to the news media.
As of Wednesday, 10 employees had tested positive for the virus and 31 others are self-isolating. Vitalité Health Network announced Saturday that the hospital is effectively on lockdown in closing its emergency room, cancelling non-urgent services and prohibiting visits.
The presence of COVID-19 in the hospital has led staff to question the effectiveness of key protocols to reduce the risks of transmission and call on Vitalité for change. The employees say staff have been refused extra protection when treating COVID-19 patients, and lax protocols create a risk of spread throughout the hospital.
The employees say they're fearful of bringing the virus home to vulnerable family members.
"Do I want to bring that home to them?" said one employee. "Adults are having a hard time breaking the fever from it. I don't want to see my kids fighting this virus."
They say their concerns are shared by the majority of staff.
Vitalité CEO Gilles Lanteigne said during a virtual media scrum Wednesday the health authority is "very, very confident" in the current controls and continues to follow best practices.
"I think what you're hearing by some of the staff is that they're worried, they're concerned," he said. "That's why our role is to reassure them that the techniques and their training are good."
Employees describe risks
In late May, after two weeks of no reported active cases in the province, Public Health announced a new cluster of the virus in the Campbellton region. It was linked to a medical professional who travelled to Quebec and didn't self-isolate upon his return, but he is challenging the assertion and seeking an apology from the premier.The outbreak has resulted in more than 40 new cases, a handful of new hospitalizations — there are four currently — and New Brunswick's first two COVID-related deaths.
The Campbellton Regional Hospital has been at the centre of the cluster of COVID-19 cases in Zone 5. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
The three employees all described the same series of protocols they viewed as problematic as the cluster grew and made its way into the hospital. The most concerning include:
- COVID-19 unit staff shared the same locker room with the rest of hospital staff.
- COVID-19 unit staff were refused hair and shoe coverings — protection, they say, would reduce the risk of spread beyond the ward.
- COVID-19 unit staff were told to have take breaks inside a small office, where a two-metre distance could not be met — a break room that was used by at least one staff member who has tested positive, one employee says.
- COVID-19 unit staff have moved to other units after treating patients.
- as of last week, there was no screening of employees, such as taking temperatures or symptom questions, when entering the building.
- Staff have been refused wider use of N95 masks after making an official request to their employer.
One employee said COVID-19 unit staff would change gloves between patients but not gowns, which, they say, does not follow standard PPE procedure. Surgical or procedure masks are changed every break, they said, and replacement masks aren't on the unit.
"I had a positive COVID patient cough in my direct line of fire, right in my face, and it was not the patient's fault," one employee said. "[The supervisor] said, 'You should've put a mask on their face, and I said, 'How am I supposed to do that when there aren't replacement masks on the unit?"
Lanteigne confirmed Wednesday at least one of the infected employees had not set foot in the COVID-19 unit.
Gilles Lanteigne, president and CEO of Vitalité Health Network, says he's 'very, very confident' in the current prevention measures at the hospital. (Radio-Canada)
He said a "number of factors" have contributed to the spread in the hospital, but staff have not been "on their guards as much as they should be" in the break room, describing their attitude as "pre-pandemic." He did not elaborate on the other possible factors.
N95 mask use
The employees say the N95 mask issue, in particular, is important to concerned staff. Staff are only permitted the masks during certain procedures that produce airborne droplets.The masks filter out 95 per cent of airborne particles and are considered critical personal protective equipment for front-line health-care workers.
"I don't understand why we aren't wearing them," said an employee involved in more routine patient care, saying their options are a mask with a face shield or a surgical mask with goggles.
"I, personally, wear glasses, and my glasses fog up very easily wearing masks, the face shield especially, because all the air just goes up into the face shield and fogs my glasses. If the air is escaping the regular mask, that means we can breathe in [droplets]."
Hospital staff are calling on their employer and Public Health for wider use of the N95 mask. (Justin Fraser/CBC)
Vitalité has told staff surgical and procedure masks suffice when treating patients, and N95 masks should be limited to "specific cases, for example, if an aerosol generating medical procedure (AGMP) is performed on a patient of if a patient is undergoing a diagnostic bronchoscopy."
That was the response staff received from Vitalité and subsequently leaked to CBC News.
"In most cases, the full PPE including gloves, gown, surgery or procedure mask and eye protection is appropriate when providing care to a COVID-19 patient or a suspected COVID-19 patient," said the statement attributed to Gisèle Beaulieu, vice-president of performance and quality and vice-chair of the infection prevention and control committee.
The health authority maintained Wednesday it has followed the prevention and control protocols set by the provincial Public Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
'That's been the advice during the entire pandemic'
Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province's chief medical officer of health, said during Monday's COVID-19 briefing the use of N95 masks for specific procedures is in line with Public Health guidance and the word of the federal health agency."That's been the advice during the entire pandemic."
Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer, says the supply of PPE in New Brunswick health-care centres is well-maintained. (Government of New Brunswick)
Russell said an aerosol-generating procedure produces droplets that become airborne, creating a risk of transmission, and staff have access to the masks in those instances.
Both Russell and Lanteigne said the supply of PPE is well maintained and that Vitalité is reviewing its prevention procedures.
PPE directive
A March 31 memo, which was signed off on by 23 health officials, offered direction to all New Brunswick health-care facilities on the use of PPE and cautioned against the liberal use of masks.The memo said the guidelines at the two regional health authorities for managing COVID-19 patients complied with federal guidelines.
"Liberalizing use of PPE beyond our current guidelines will only serve to provide a false sense of security and rapidly exhaust a finite supply," it said.
On N95 masks, the memo stated they "do not provide superior protection" against COVID-19 except during medical procedures that trigger aerosol spray from patients.
Pictured is the March 31 memo about personal protective equipment protocol. (Submitted)
A revised memo, issued in early April, clarified that N95 masks "must be used" in any room where aerosol-generating procedures "are being performed, are frequent or probable, or with any intubated patients."
It was agreed to by the province, the two health authorities, Medavie Health Services NB, as well as the New Brunswick Nurses Union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the New Brunswick Union.
The memos came as the number of COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick was growing and after the province had difficulty securing N95 masks from a U.S. manufacturer.
Asked if the protocols should be changed at this point in the pandemic, considering the province's active cases are almost entirely in the Campbellton region, Public Health maintained the directives in the memo remain best practice.
Bruce Macfarlane, communications director for the Department of Health, said in an emailed statement on June 12 that a joint statement between employers and unions "set the bar high" for appropriate and safe PPE use — requirements also reviewed by WorkSafeNB.
"We understand the anxiety that this outbreak is causing amongst staff and have been assured that Vitalité is having discussions with our workers in Campbellton to better understand how transmission occurred in the facility in order to address any gaps that may exist," Macfarlane said.
Testing blitz
Vitalité engaged in a testing blitz over the weekend and into Monday, testing 930 of the more than 1,200 employees between the Campbellton Regional Hospital and the adjacent Restigouche Hospital Centre.Lanteigne said Wednesday about half of the 41 employees now off work will return by next Friday. He said the majority of affected hospital staff are nurses.
The nurses union told Radio-Canada on Friday that it's had many discussions regarding PPE with the province's COVID-19 task force, and president Paula Doucet said the current use of N95 "has been the advice during the entire pandemic."
The union has not responded to a CBC News question on whether the policy would be revisited in light of its members' concerns.
93 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.David Amos
Methinks Higgy et al must agree that the plot thickens on a daily basis N'esy Pas?
Terry Tibbs
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Amos:
He certainly seems to be staggering from one disaster to the next disaster?
Though, I'm *thinking* it is an Irving management style?
I worked with another X-Irving manager and that was his management style too.
David Amos
He certainly seems to be staggering from one disaster to the next disaster?
Though, I'm *thinking* it is an Irving management style?
I worked with another X-Irving manager and that was his management style too.
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Yup
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @David Amos: well saidTony Mcalbey
jacques laviolette
Yes , where is the minister of health, when missing after is fiasco with closing ER at some hospital, people in region 5 are treated like we all have the virus when traveling outside region 5, more than 98% of residents in region 5 DON'T HAVE VIRUS, but
Mr Premier and Dr Rusell keep saying don't leave region 5
David Amos
Reply to @jacques laviolette: Methinks the reason Teddy don't call and don't write me since before he was first elected years ago is because that lawyer never loved me N'esy Pas?
Tony Mcalbey
Jody Guidry
Toby Tolly
Reply to @jacques laviolette: this is why borders need to be opened, this is why grandma in Amherst should be allowed seeing grandchild in sackville, no virus anywhere near that area
Jody Guidry
Gilles Lanteigne's office should be relocated to the centre of the area in the Campbellton hospital where the Covid-19 cases are treated. All of the staff's concerns about improved working conditions would be met and exceeded THE VERY NEXT DAY. Clearly, the problem right now is that there are no "important" people involved in the situation there, so why should they bother fixing all these issues just to save a few people from Northern NB?
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Jody Guidry:
You are making a pretty big assumption there.
Who's to say Gilles Lanteigne is "important"?
(Those patronage positions were only created as a cut off between politicians and operations, a highly paid scapegoat)
David Amos
Reply to @Jody Guidry:
You are making a pretty big assumption there.
Who's to say Gilles Lanteigne is "important"?
(Those patronage positions were only created as a cut off between politicians and operations, a highly paid scapegoat)
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Furthermore Gilles Lanteigne is quitting his fancy job
Terry Tibbs
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Amos:
Happy Trails...............
Donald Gallant
Happy Trails...............
Donald Gallant
Supplies required for safety and policies should be Public knowledge and adherence to the rules need to be mandatory and evidence of same provided online.
The secrecy is disgusting these days.
Chris
The secrecy is disgusting these days.
Chris
Reply to @Donald Gallant: Secrecy is a strategic tool which benefits a small number. Used in conjunction with compartmentalization of information flow to keep the right hand from understanding the movements of the left. The best countermeasure is to shine a bright light and forced accountability.
David Amos
David Amos
Reply to @Donald Gallant: Surprise Surprise Surprise
David Amos
David Amos
Reply to @Chris .: Chris who?
Terry Tibbs
Our ENTIRE health system is built on trust. As patients we trust that any hospital we go to will make their best effort to heal us. The healers employed by that hospital trust their employer will provide a safe place with the right tools and supplies to get their job of healing done.
When the system breaks, through lack of trust, we are ALL in trouble.
When the system breaks, through lack of trust, we are ALL in trouble.
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: True. Leadership starts at the top. High time for ms Russell to resign. Her words for past months have been just that, just words. Higgy needs to step up too
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey:
Wait a minute, you are mistaken, please stop and think.
A hospital employee has 3 avenues to redress unsafe working conditions:
1) Through their boss, who would go to the hospital administrator, to the head of Vitality, ultimately to the Minister of Health (anybody heard from, or seen, him lately?)
2) WorkSafe NB
3) Their Union
When a wildcard situation exists, and they are ignored by those 3 avenues, then they go to the media, which should result in what you see here.
Wait a minute, you are mistaken, please stop and think.
A hospital employee has 3 avenues to redress unsafe working conditions:
1) Through their boss, who would go to the hospital administrator, to the head of Vitality, ultimately to the Minister of Health (anybody heard from, or seen, him lately?)
2) WorkSafe NB
3) Their Union
When a wildcard situation exists, and they are ignored by those 3 avenues, then they go to the media, which should result in what you see here.
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Methinks its interesting that you are asking this "Tony" dude to think N'esy Pas?
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Amos:
This kind of stuff was taught in school, or at least it was where I went to school, though in NB who knows? You couldn't ask the Minister of Education, because I pretty sure he doesn't know what is going on.
It's all very Pythonesque.
We also don't know how poisonous the workplace is, either way the Union, or the floor supervisor, should have made the trip to the Hospital Administrator's office with employee concerns.
This kind of stuff was taught in school, or at least it was where I went to school, though in NB who knows? You couldn't ask the Minister of Education, because I pretty sure he doesn't know what is going on.
It's all very Pythonesque.
We also don't know how poisonous the workplace is, either way the Union, or the floor supervisor, should have made the trip to the Hospital Administrator's office with employee concerns.
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Trust that you would be amazed at the fun I am having today with Big Pharma
Terry Tibbs
Content disabled
Content disabled
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey:
This is not on Russell however this is on Langeigne and the Vitalite Health Care.... Want to be answerable to no one and not adhere to the protocol in place and this is what you end up with..
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey:
This is not on Russell however this is on Langeigne and the Vitalite Health Care.... Want to be answerable to no one and not adhere to the protocol in place and this is what you end up with..
This is not on Russell however this is on Langeigne and the Vitalite Health Care.... Want to be answerable to no one and not adhere to the protocol in place and this is what you end up with..
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey:
This is not on Russell however this is on Langeigne and the Vitalite Health Care.... Want to be answerable to no one and not adhere to the protocol in place and this is what you end up with..
Lou Bell
Appears ignorance is the number one policy Vitalite' has in place at this Hospital ! Where's their MLA on this ? He should be questioning Vitalite" policy as this appears to be a problem in this one Hospital . Maybe they're " just too far away from Moncton " to really be bothering with !
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Lou Bell:
Please try a little harder Lou.
It is the Minister of Health that is DIRECTLY responsible. (You know that guy, as of late, has been missing in action since the big Higgs shuffle on hospital closings).
All ant MLA can do is inquire at the Minister's office, which is more than likely result in nothing, the MLA being a Liberal, and the Minister, well, who knows what the missing in action Minister is about?
Please try a little harder Lou.
It is the Minister of Health that is DIRECTLY responsible. (You know that guy, as of late, has been missing in action since the big Higgs shuffle on hospital closings).
All ant MLA can do is inquire at the Minister's office, which is more than likely result in nothing, the MLA being a Liberal, and the Minister, well, who knows what the missing in action Minister is about?
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: BINGO
Christopher J Cusack
Dear Mr Vitalité CEO Gilles Lanteigne, your frontline workers are much more apprised to how procedures play out, you should listen to them.
David Amos
Reply to @Christopher J Cusack: Oh So True
Terry Tibbs
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Amos:
Both you guys are mistaken. Gilles Lanteigne's patronage position is that of sacrificial lamb. He is the disconnect between operations and politicians. If operations go south he wears it keeping the Minister of Health's hands clean.
Both you guys are mistaken. Gilles Lanteigne's patronage position is that of sacrificial lamb. He is the disconnect between operations and politicians. If operations go south he wears it keeping the Minister of Health's hands clean.
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Nope Methinks the buck stops with Higgy the dude who oversees Teddy Lanteigne is just a clever dude who is getting gone while the getting is good N'esy Pas?
Terry Tibbs
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Amos:
Do you know what happened to our Minister of Health? I trust he wasn't in a fatal car accident, or something? Maybe he doesn't love us any more?
Do you know what happened to our Minister of Health? I trust he wasn't in a fatal car accident, or something? Maybe he doesn't love us any more?
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Methinks that lawyer never loved me for obvious reasons N'esy Pas?
James Smythe
Are we sure we can’t cut their PPE supplies at least a little bit more, so that we can afford to give Irving an even bigger tax break? Apparently air conditioning in Bermuda isn’t cheap during the hot summer months. Have some compassion you guys, multibillionaires are too warm.
David Amos
Reply to @James Smythe: Well put
Dave Corbin
Why are hospital administrators more interested in silencing workers concerns than addressing those concerns as a outbreak occurs in this hospital?
Reply to @Dave Corbin: And why did Lanteigne tell CBC yesterday that the new cases had to do with healthcare workers, "Not being much on their guards as they should be"? He further said that because healthcare workers are tired and stressed, they "just go back to their normal habits and put down their guard." He blamed everything on the workers. Now we're hearing that the workers weren't given the resources they needed.
SarahRose Werner
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Dave Corbin: Lanteigne, yesterday: "He believes a number of factors contributed to this, including health-care workers taking breaks together throughout their shifts." Workers, today: "COVID-19 unit staff were told to have take breaks inside a small office, where a two-metre distance could not be met — a break room that was used by at least one staff member who has tested positive, one employee says."
Tony Mcalbey
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Dave Corbin: money
David Amos
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Methinks everything political is always about the money everybody knows that N'esy Pas?
SarahRose Werner
The state of emergency was declared three months ago. Hospitals were supposed to have gotten ready to deal with the first wave of COVID-19. Now we're finding out that they apparently aren't ready at all. It's pure luck that the first wave wasn't worse than it was! I suspect that the problems we're seeing at the Campbellton Regional aren't limited to that one hospital and rather reflect the state of preparedness - or lack thereof - in hospitals across the province.
Tony Mcalbey
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Ms. Russell and Higgy said the province health system is prepared. This is results of their preparedness.
Let’s open borders and everything up, the nonsense has gone on long enough.
SarahRose Werner
Let’s open borders and everything up, the nonsense has gone on long enough.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: How does opening the borders improve the preparedness of the hospitals?
Tony Mcalbey
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: it doesn’t
Lou Bell
Lou Bell
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Sorry Tony , ignorance is not an option ! Any other , more sensible suggestions ?
Bruce Normand
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: I would not waste anytime replying to SarahRose….it must be sad to look forward to these stories to be posted so that she can jump in.....if she ever went into hiding, one sure way to get her to come out would be by posting a NB Covid story! LOL
David Amos
Reply to @Bruce Normand: Methinks the lady doesn't care what many of think N'esy Pas?
Bruce Normand
Reply to @David Amos: Methinks that if you are going to have a catch phrase, that you at least use the proper spelling, n'est ce pas?
David Amos
Reply to @Bruce Normand: Methinks you do not understand Chiac or how the Internet works N'esy Pas?
Bruce Normand
Reply to @David Amos: Methinks I know enough about chiac to say that your butchering of a perfectly useful french phrase is not part of that dialect, so that is the first portion answered. In terms of the second, you appear to have much more practice than I, based on your recent activity, so perhaps you could enlighten me? Or, no, scotch that. No need.
Toby Tolly
is staff still working shifts then travelling home to all corners of the province?
Terry Tibbs
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Toby Tolly:
And probably not just this province.
Tony Mcalbey
And probably not just this province.
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Toby Tolly: yes as per the case in Fredericton. But a grandma in Amherst can’t visit her grandchild over in sackville NB for an afternoon.
SarahRose Werner
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Healthcare workers being available to provide healthcare benefits everyone in that health zone. Grandma's visit benefits two people, grandma and grandchild.
Tony Mcalbey
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: your point ?
Lou Bell
Lou Bell
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: She just made it . too bad you can't understand it .
Tony Mcalbey
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Lou Bell: lightweight
David Amos
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Methinks Higgy et al knows I am a Grandpa who can't visit his daughter and grandchildren in Amherst on Fathers Day and he don't care N'esy Pas?
Corrie Weatherfield
Corrie Weatherfield
if the CEO of the health unit says things are good and the employees provide evidence to show they are not it is a good thing he has resigned but why not make his departure immediate?
David Amos
Reply to @Corrie Weatherfield: BINGO
Mack Leigh
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Corrie Weatherfield:
And who would you suggest take over the position ? Perhaps Brian Gallant would like to return to the province ? No wait.... Victor Boudreau would fit right in and fix the mess no problem..
Belinda Anderson
And who would you suggest take over the position ? Perhaps Brian Gallant would like to return to the province ? No wait.... Victor Boudreau would fit right in and fix the mess no problem..
Belinda Anderson
I was in Fredericton on the weekend at the Blue Canoe and there were cars from Ontario and I was behind them when they went into the restaurant no mask no questions asked and when I went back outside the men where talking about how easy it was to get across the N.B. border so if we allow people in the virus will spread.I think that people that cross our borders should have to sign a paper with address ,where they are going and how long they are staying because N.B. will be in trouble ..
Lou Bell
Lou Bell
Reply to @Belinda Anderson: So why didn't you take their plate numbers and report them if you were so concerned ? And how were you close enough to get in on their conversation ? Or was this just a fabrication to make some kind of point ?
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks some folks say snitches get stitches I say they should just get sued N'esy Pas?
Rob Belyea
Rob Belyea
WorksafeNB needs to close that Campbellton hospital if Vitalité can't operate it safely.
SarahRose Werner
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Rob Belyea: Which would then require shipping COVID-19 patients from Zone 5 to hospitals in other zones.
David Amos
Reply to @Rob Belyea: Oh My methinks that taking things a little too far N'esy Pas?
Holly Mossing
Holly Mossing
This is what happens when journalists give terrified staff the floor without understanding the science: fogging glasses aren’t a sign that you can “breathe in droplets”... it means water vapor is escaping from your mask as it should, for example. The PPE protocols are sound, when followed. But they’re also exhausting to follow for months on end, and “shortcuts” become commonplace by staff just to help us get through. This is a good reminder to stay vigilant.
Jake Quinlan
Jake Quinlan
Reply to @Holly Mossing: Maybe the staff need some refreshers on PPE from staff educators.
David Amos
Reply to @Jake Quinlan: Good point
Winston Gray
Winston Gray
These are unionized employees, society needs to remember this when people start attacking unions again.
Jake Quinlan
Jake Quinlan
Reply to @Winston Gray: Not rhetorical, but can you explain the relevance of unionized employees vs. non-unionized in this situation ?
Winston Gray
Reply to @Jake Quinlan: I just want people to remember this moment that unions can try to protect workers, but they often can't.
There are a lot of anti-unionists who think that unions are more powerful than they are, are more rich than they are, and are the cause of all our problems.
In the reality Unions help workers and restore the balance.
There are a lot of anti-unionists who think that unions are more powerful than they are, are more rich than they are, and are the cause of all our problems.
In the reality Unions help workers and restore the balance.
David Amos
Reply to @Winston Gray: Dream on
Luna Of Of the Stars
Luna Of Of the Stars
There seems to be a systemic issue with Vitalité and it's operation of the Campbellton Regional Hospital and adjacent psychiatric hospital (Restigouche hospital centre) In the last 12 -18 month we have heard through media about proposed half a BILLION dollar Class Action law suit against RHC, the Campbellton ER, obstetrics and other standard services closing for various reasons since the Fall, the apparent internal operational disagreements and resignations within the Board of Directors for Vitalite apparently related to Campbellton operations, the Ombudsmen report detailing concerning issues within the RHC regarding care of patients, deaths of patients within the psychiatric hospital and now COVID related concerns (infections, locums.)
Soothing eloquent sounding words are cheap and superficial statistics are easily tweaked and massaged so as to present a positive narrative for the sender of the message.
How exactly does Vitalité explain the apparent large number of staff infected from a relatively small number of known COVID cases in hospital (many other hospitals in Canada to compare to on this?). You can't simply say 'we are confident in our approach' while at the same time taking severe steps like CLOSING the emergency services and large chunks of the hospital and shipping emergency cases to an adjacent Region. It doesn't add up.
At some point, this organization requires external objective review. As a taxpayer I am appalled that this has been permitted to continue as long as It has.
If the powers that be are unwilling to initiate such a review - then I would ask: what critical event(s) must happen before you will consider this?
To zone 5 front line staff with the courage to speak out, thank you.
Chris
Soothing eloquent sounding words are cheap and superficial statistics are easily tweaked and massaged so as to present a positive narrative for the sender of the message.
How exactly does Vitalité explain the apparent large number of staff infected from a relatively small number of known COVID cases in hospital (many other hospitals in Canada to compare to on this?). You can't simply say 'we are confident in our approach' while at the same time taking severe steps like CLOSING the emergency services and large chunks of the hospital and shipping emergency cases to an adjacent Region. It doesn't add up.
At some point, this organization requires external objective review. As a taxpayer I am appalled that this has been permitted to continue as long as It has.
If the powers that be are unwilling to initiate such a review - then I would ask: what critical event(s) must happen before you will consider this?
To zone 5 front line staff with the courage to speak out, thank you.
Chris
Reply to @Luna Of Of the Stars: Where there's signs of smoke there is usually fire.
Looking at it in a general sense there certainly seems to be a problem or multiple problems. Regional? Local? Management? Clinical? Staffing? Infrastructure?
The question is what are they and how confident are we that any potentially problematic system is able to adequately and objectively assess and fix itself. In general, those systems which help create and perpetuate a problem are usually poor candidates for fixing said problem!!
What is clear is that taxpayers continue to fund this situation. Lets hope it is money well spent.
Jake Quinlan
Looking at it in a general sense there certainly seems to be a problem or multiple problems. Regional? Local? Management? Clinical? Staffing? Infrastructure?
The question is what are they and how confident are we that any potentially problematic system is able to adequately and objectively assess and fix itself. In general, those systems which help create and perpetuate a problem are usually poor candidates for fixing said problem!!
What is clear is that taxpayers continue to fund this situation. Lets hope it is money well spent.
Jake Quinlan
Reply to @Chris .: I wonder if those "in charge" of the other hospitals around NB say a little thank you to their deity of choice each night that their building has been spared.....lol. I would :-)
David Amos
Reply to @Luna Of Of the Stars: Do you register to vote with that name???
David Amos
Reply to @Jake Quinlan: What if they have no deity to thank?
Terry Tibbs
Aren't we forgetting somebody?
If a place of work is unsafe, isn't that determination up to WorkSafe NB?
Might as well get ALL concerned/should be concerned involved?
If a place of work is unsafe, isn't that determination up to WorkSafe NB?
Might as well get ALL concerned/should be concerned involved?
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Surely you jest
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Amos:
Might just as well throw some more confused sorta government employees at it?
Might just as well throw some more confused sorta government employees at it?
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: I concur
Derek Grant
Derek Grant
There are too many inferior grades of "surgical masks". They are a very deregulated product and even the top-of-the-line surgical mask does not come close to filtering airborne particulate as per a 3M respiratory protector. I would not work in a Covid-19 infected workplace without a daily supply of N-95 masks at my side.
David Amos
Reply to @Derek Grant: Exactly
doug kirby
Seems someone hasn’t stayed in the loop with the mask requirement. It’s been stated since the beginning which masks must be used. So public health obviously make their own rules up. Here is another example of staff stating their concern but those in charge decide they aren’t exactly telling the truth..this is the exact same atmosphere that’s happened in all long term care homes...someone on the outside are basically telling staff it’s good enough what safety precautions your allowed to take...N.S. did the same with Northwood...their public health called the employees fear mongers...so good luck workers...your on your own however you can do it...be the voice for those affected
David Amos
Reply to @doug kirby: Well put
Bill Hamilton
Bill Hamilton
Someone in charge of the Campbellton hospital should loose their high paying job.
Campbellton lives matter.
Campbellton lives matter.
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Bill Hamilton:
An interesting thought.
Just who is in "charge" at ANY hospital you visit? The "healers", or the politically appointed desk operating do nothings? Maybe a combination of both? If it is a combination how is it weighted? There is a major problem here (and I think in most hospitals), there also seems to be many secrets.
Jake Quinlan
An interesting thought.
Just who is in "charge" at ANY hospital you visit? The "healers", or the politically appointed desk operating do nothings? Maybe a combination of both? If it is a combination how is it weighted? There is a major problem here (and I think in most hospitals), there also seems to be many secrets.
Jake Quinlan
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Well put.
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Methinks Teddy and his boss Higgy are the dudes in charge lately N'esy Pas?
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Amos:
And neither one fit to be put in charge of a push-bike.
And neither one fit to be put in charge of a push-bike.
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Where did Jake go?
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: BTW I just got another interesting call this time it was from a former MLA about something I was dealing with a couple of days ago