ST. LOUIS — Healthcare workers in Missouri, Illinois and across the country are raising concerns that they don’t have enough of the proper equipment to protect employees and patients from the spread of COVID-19. That includes protecting those most vulnerable to the virus: the immunocompromised.
5 On Your Side’s Brandon Merano first reported last week after concerned healthcare workers reached out to say hospital staff members were locking up protective masks and telling employees they needed to “request permission” to use them.
“The problem started maybe two weeks ago when we weren’t testing anybody,” said one healthcare worker. “They say they are complying by the CDC guidelines, but that’s not entirely true because there were patients who should’ve been tested but weren’t.”
Healthcare workers said hospital administration is to blame.
“There were doctors who wanted to test, but they were told no,” one worker told 5 On Your Side.
Then, workers added that there’s an issue with hospital staff members not having the proper personal protective equipment.
“What do employees hear from management when they ask for those things?” 5 On Your Side’s Brandon Merano asked one employee.
“That they don’t have it, or it’s locked up in so-and-so’s office. I have to basically beg for that,” the worker replied.
“The problem started maybe two weeks ago when we weren’t testing anybody,” said one healthcare worker. “They say they are complying by the CDC guidelines, but that’s not entirely true because there were patients who should’ve been tested but weren’t.”
Healthcare workers said hospital administration is to blame.
“There were doctors who wanted to test, but they were told no,” one worker told 5 On Your Side.
Then, workers added that there’s an issue with hospital staff members not having the proper personal protective equipment.
“What do employees hear from management when they ask for those things?” 5 On Your Side’s Brandon Merano asked one employee.
“That they don’t have it, or it’s locked up in so-and-so’s office. I have to basically beg for that,” the worker replied.
Employees said their biggest concern is that the coronavirus could spread to other patients, including those who are immunocompromised.
“If you talk to any healthcare worker, that is their major worry,” the employee said.
