Local Hospital Nurses Call For PPE For Health Care Workers Nationwide

On Wednesday afternoon, a group of nurses at Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol Township stood outside calling for proper protection for health care workers as part of a National Day of Action.

The Lower Bucks Hospital nurses stood in solidarity with their peers in an event led by Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), New York State Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Service Employees 1021, and National Nurses United Chicago.

“All frontline healthcare workers in Pennsylvania hospitals need access to appropriate PPE in order to provide quality care during this crisis,” said ICU nurse Shirley Crowell, who serves as president of the Lower Bucks Hospital Nurses Association.

Across the country, nurses, doctors, and other health care workers are dealing with rationing or shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maureen May, an ICU nurse at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia and union president, told LevittownNow.com the day of action was to call attention to frontline workers without adequate supplies of personal protective equipment.

“This crisis is taking a serious toll on the emotional and physical health of our healthcare workers faced with inadequate protection, equipment shortages, and punitive hospital policies,” she said.

May explained that adequate PPE at hospitals protects staff, patients, and the general public who may encounter staff outside of work.

Lea Rodriguez, the chief nursing officer for Lower Bucks Hospital, said that the hospital has enough personal protective equipment for staff.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bristol Township hospital has been able to main proper staffing, Lower Bucks Hospital Human Resources Director Betty Donahue said.

Rodriguez said the hospital is in communication with health authorities and other medical centers within the county.

County officials have said they’ve distributed to supplies to hospitals on top of what the hospitals can get through their supply chains.

With advice for the public, May said: “they need to stay safe, not go out if they don’t need to, wash their hands, and only come to the hospital if they need to.”

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