Ebola

Submitted by ADonahue on
Nurses hold signs "Stop Ebola Now"

The first person infected with Ebola in the US - nurse Nina Pham - made infectious disease a major news story. And Ebola is just one high-profile example of the infectious diseases to which RNs can be exposed. NNU advocates for nurses to have the education, training, and personal protective equipment they need. Our successes include landmark mandatory Ebola guidelines in California and collective bargaining agreements with strong infectious disease protections.

Press releases

Nurses outside hospital

Nurses Call on Federal OSHA, Other States to Follow California Mandate of Highest Ebola Safeguards

National Nurses United today called on the the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and other states to follow the landmark mandatory safeguards established by California to protect nurses, other health workers, and the public from the threat of the deadly Ebola virus.

National Nurses United
November 17, 2014

Large group of nurses holding sign "Stop Ebola Now"

Ebola: RNs Call for Highest Standards for Protective Equipment, including Hazmat Suits and Training

Following news Sunday that the first U.S. nurse has now tested positive for the deadly Ebola virus, National Nurses United called for all hospitals to have in place the highest standard of optimal protections, including Hazmat suits, and hands-on training to protect all RNs, other hospital personnel to confront Ebola.

National Nurses United
October 12, 2014

Nurses outside hospital

National Nurse Survey Shows Hospitals Still Not Prepared for U.S. Ebola Patients

UPDATED RESULTS - Following reports that a Dallas hospital failed to hospitalize a patient infected with the Ebola virus and failed to properly communicate essential information to caregivers about his health status, National Nurses United is stepping up the call on U.S. hospitals to immediately upgrade emergency preparations for Ebola in the U.S.

RNRN
October 3, 2014

Blog

Nurses outside hospital

Statement by RN's at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital as provided to National Nurses United

This is an inside story from some registered nurses at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas who have familiarity with what occurred at the hospital following the positive Ebola infection of first the late Thomas Eric Duncan and then a registered nurse who cared for him Nina Pham.

National Nurses United

Nurse outside The Whitehouse holding signs "Stop Ebola Now"

Ebola Preparedness – What National Nurses United Won in California

The state of California, at the insistence of registered nurses, has set an Ebola safety standard for the nation. CNA/NNU has defeated efforts by the hospital industry to limit the protection of nurses to the voluntary, unenforceable guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control. Instead, we have collectively ensured an optimal standard for personal protective equipment and respiratory protection that will enable nurses to safely treat Ebola patients.

National Nurses United

Resources

Ebola-related bargaining demands

Read CNA/NNOC/NNU's full bargaining demands related to Ebola on standards, training and equipment, an Infectious Disease Task Force, medical services for employees, and RN PTO sick time.

California’s Ebola guidance

Read the Cal/OSHA Interim Guidance on Ebola Virus in Inpatient Hospital Settings (2014).