Opioid Crisis Brings Call For Increased Safety Measures For Nurses

December 09, 2016

Members are reminded to protect themselves from exposure to harmful drugs, violent patients

Nurses on the frontline of BC's opioid crisis are being reminded to consider their own health and safety while assisting patients.

Since the province declared a public health emergency in April 2016, nurses who provide care in emergency rooms, addiction services, client homes, on the streets and elsewhere have been responding to alarming rates of overdoses. In the last three weeks, those numbers have reached an unprecedented peak.

BCNU is cautioning members about the risks in responding to overdose victims. These include accidental exposure to lethal drugs such as fentanyl and carfentanil as well as possible violence from victims who are responding to naloxone. Nurses are also being encouraged to stay vigilant while dealing with patients who may have drug residue on their belongings.

Accidental exposure can result from inhaling drug residue, absorbing it through the skin, or through needlestick injury. These exposures can make you sick very quickly.

By now, employers should have provided you with training and information on:

How to plan and respond to the potential violence from patients responding to naloxone.
The required precautions necessary to protect yourself from accidental exposure to the drugs.
The necessary personal protective equipment needed when providing care to OD patients.
What to do if you or a co-worker experience exposure symptoms.
Calling the workplace health call centre to report incidents, including near misses ("close calls").

If you work in ERs, community nursing or other patient care areas where you feel you could encounter a drug overdose emergency, and have not received the appropriate information, please contact your manager or supervisor. Likewise, if the necessary personal protective equipment and any other protective equipment or supplies are not available.

For concerns around professional practice and/or workload related to this public health crisis, please consider using the PRF process and/or file a workload grievance.

If you need assistance to raise and resolve concerns, please contact your worksite steward or your regional chair.