FRIDLEY, Minn. — Allina Health has changed its recommended procedures for nurses at Unity Hospital working with possible COVID-19 patients, to allow more of them to wear the N95 masks believed to offer the best protection.
KARE 11 shared the concerns of a nurse at Unity in Fridley, who said she was not using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) around suspected coronavirus patients, because of hospital guidelines.
Sarah White told KARE 11 that she contracted COVID-19 and blames the fact that many nurses at Unity and other Allina hospitals treat patients with COVID without wearing an N95 mask, because of the global shortage.
In a statement, Allina Health said the decision to expand the use of the masks "is reflective of adjustments we're making as the virus activity changes and our commitment to the safety of our staff."
Allina's full statement is below:
"Allina Health’s response to COVID-19 is dynamic as the number of cases in the community and our facilities grows, but we consistently follow MDH and CDC guidelines. Allina Health is expanding its utilization of N95’s in the zones within emergency departments where patients under investigation for COVID-19 are being cared for. Expanding use of N95’s into yellow or orange zones (in the case of Unity), is reflective of adjustments we are making as virus activity changes and our commitment to the safety of our staff."
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