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Not for syndication
Seven nurses at Auckland Waitākere Hospital contracted the coronavirus, which the DHB says is “deeply saddened.”
An investigation at an Auckland hospital where several nurses contracted coronavirus found that some had to change their PPE eight times per shift.
Seven nurses from Waitākere Hospital and at least three close contacts hired Covid-19 after residents of St Margaret’s Rest Home and Hospital, one of the largest groups in the country, were transferred there. One of those nurses is at North Shore Hospital in the High Dependency Unit.
A review of major incidents by the Waitematā District Health Board was released to the public at 2pm on Wednesday.
He found that while the full EPP staff was available at all times, there were issues with its usability and issues with changes to the types of PPE provided, which was stressful for the staff.
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These problems included that the velcro tabs on the dresses loosened easily, creating gaps at the back. The initial glasses provided were a frame with removable lenses that needed to be cleaned, before being subsequently supplied with disposable lenses.
Eventually, the glasses were changed to glasses that did not fit some staff members, he said.
In response to the review, Waitematā DHB Deputy Executive Director Dr. Andrew Brant said he deeply regretted that staff caring for St Margaret’s patients tested positive for Covid-19.
“We are deeply saddened that these nurses have become infected with Covid.”
“They were being disinterested in caring for others in the midst of a difficult, changing, and intense situation at St. Margaret’s.”
RICKY WILSON / THINGS
Residents of St Margaret’s in Te Atatū were transferred to Waitākere Hospital in mid-April due to staffing problems at the nursing home and hospital.
“We recognize their professionalism in caring for St. Margaret’s patients, and we regret that they became ill in the course of their work.”
Brant said the report, about the circumstances of the first three nurses in the room who returned the positive tests, would be used to improve how similar situations would be handled in the future.
The report indicated that the nursing staff provided “exemplary care” to the six patients in the ward.
“They were compassionate, professional, and worked to ensure that patients received the best possible care,” he said.
The staffing levels were “reasonable,” he found, but given the level of care required, more staff may have allowed fewer PPE changes.
Not for syndication
Covid-19 has been recruited by seven nurses at Waitakere Hospital as a result of dealing with patients from the St Margaret Nursing Home Group.
The decision to relocate St. Margaret’s residents was made quickly on a Friday: Staff had little time to plan and respond, forming a room prepared for Covid-19.
These patients required full nursing care and deteriorated “relatively quickly,” according to the report.
The report found that appropriate steps were followed once all three nurses felt symptomatic, including reporting their symptoms, the Covid-19 test, and absence from work.
Mytchall Bransgrove / Stuff
The report found that there were some ‘usability’ issues with the nurses’ regionally supplied PPE, but that full PPE was available to staff at all times. (FILE PHOTO)
“Immediate steps were taken to address the risk to patients, staff and the community,” he said.
These included closing and deep cleaning the affected room, contact tracing and testing of all potential contacts, removal of staff, reconfiguration of the patient’s location, detection of symptoms of staff upon arrival at work, and introducing screening for people entering and leaving the affected area, “the report said.
Brant said that while DHB “prepared as best we could, admit that Covid-positive St Margaret residents have put stress on our DHB and staff.”
Initially, 57 Waitākere Hospital staff members were removed, which was later reduced to 37 who were sent home to isolate themselves.
All hospital staff were due to return to work on Wednesday, following their withdrawal that began late last month.
He recognized that he could have done better: including better communication decisions, particularly where they should be made quickly in response to an emergency situation, and developing a national plan on how DHBs should adequately support senior care facilities when the system health is already responding to a crisis
“We are committed to driving improvement and working with our staff and unions to ensure that what happened at Waitākere Hospital serves as a catalyst for positive change,” he said.
The Director General of Health, Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, confirmed that she had received a copy of the review.
‘It is a very good example of a quick and transparent review of our response to Covid-19 in a very particular environment. We can learn and then translate those learnings to our national council so that all DHBs can benefit, “he said.
The four-person review panel included a representative from the New Zealand Nurses Organization, the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer of Waikato DHB and senior executives from Waitematā DHB.
