As the effect of the COVID-19 crisis continues to spread, WSNA is working closely with public health officials. The safety of our nurses and patients are our top priority.

WSNA has assembled a staff leadership team to coordinate the union’s response to this issue, to inform our members, and demand action from hospital management to protect our nurse members. We have been in contact with our leaders at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. Our primary concern is the potential exposure of this outbreak to our nurses.

WSNA demands immediate transparency and accountability from hospital administration

WSNA demanded of PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center administration that they respond to the following request for information:

1. List of units that the infected patients were admitted to or cared for at any time in the past two weeks.
2. Dates and times of the infected patients location during the past two weeks.
3. List of nurses who had any exposure to either of the known cases during the past two weeks.
4. What specific personal protective equipment and precautions were taken throughout their hospital stays?
5. Copies of all communication, direction and instructions have you given to the nurses about the exposure.
6. What is your plan to communicate with those nurses who have been exposed?
7. What instructions and directions have you sent to nurses if they believe they have been exposed?
8. What additional action are you taking to protect the health and safety of the nurses?
9. List of any employee/s who have been furloughed for precaution of exposure to the infected patients.
10. Will nurses have to use their PTO if furloughed, instructed to be on quarantine, or home ill due to potential exposure? How should nurses record their time on the timekeeping system if they are furloughed, home ill or on quarantine due to exposure?

WSNA intends to hold the hospital administration accountable to the safety and welfare of our members and we will continue to communicate with you on developments.

Notify WSNA if you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 in your workplace

• If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, immediately let your Local Unit Officers and WSNA Nurse Representative know.
• WSNA is tracking reported exposures so we can coordinate with public health officials and hold hospital administration accountable for your protection as a caregiver as well as ensure applicable contractual rights and benefit are made available to you.

Where can I find more infor­ma­tion about COVID-19?

• The Washington State Depart­ment of Health has established a website and call center to address questions from the public.
• If you have questions about how the virus is spread or what to do if you have symptoms, call 1−800−525−0127.
• Public Health - Seattle & King County: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
• Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Please contact WSNA Nurse Representative Mara Kieval at mkieval@​wsna.​org with any questions or concerns.