Health Care Workers Said They Feel Frustrated And Unprotected During Pandemic

One doctor and a technician allowed News 9 to record their conversations. The other nurses and health care providers were scared they would face repercussions for speaking out.

In order to keep the identities of the two providers who spoke with News 9 safe, their places of employment were not be revealed.

"Once we're out, we're out," a Tulsa-area technician said.  "We're being told to make our own masks out of cloth."

The technician said her hospital is running low on supplies ranging from wipes to gloves.

"We are running low on surgical masks," the technician said. "We have been given one surgical mask per day."

She is concerned reusing masks will lead to others being exposed.

"If we're giving it to our patients or our patients are giving it to us, that's also going to go home to the family of that patient and the family of us," the technician said.

The technician is under quarantine right now waiting on her own COVID-19 test results.

"I'm already being asked when I can come back," she said. 

The technician also said she can't get answers from higher ups and claims her hospital is still doing elective surgeries.

"I'm terrified for my family because I don't have the protective equipment that I need," a doctor from the OKC metro area said. 

Due to the lack of testing, she doesn't know how many patients she has seen that have the virus.

Several people she works with have been admitting people that are really sick and have seen people who later died. 

"I don't know if you've noticed, most of the hospitals in the area are starting to put a number of tents outside because we are expecting to see an increasing number of patients," the doctor said. 

Not only are staffers lacking supplies, but her hospital is limiting who can even wear masks.  

"At the beginning, we were given a bag with one N95 mask, one surgical mask in a unit and were told to use that as long as we possibly could." the doctor said. 

She said her hospital is also starting to run low on medication typically given to patients that need breathing treatments.

"My biggest fear is having to make a decision about somebody's life cause I have three people that need the only ventilator I have left," the doctor said. "How do I make that decision?"

She said she's tried to reach out to lawmakers.

"I'm just like them. I have children [and] I have plans for a future," the doctor said. "I have a desire to help, which is why I've done this job so long, and I just want them to get me the help that I need so I can do it safely."

News 9 reached out to many of the major hospitals across the metro and the state about the issues these health care workers said they're having. 

Only Integris responded to the request. Their responses are below.

Q: Is the hospital giving staff PPE gear or a mask to use for an entire day?

A: Based on guidance from reputable organizations (including Nebraska and Emory), we have identified a PPE conservation program that provides emphasis on PPE being used that meets quality checks (fit check) as well as is not soiled, damaged or wet. A key component for this is our internally manufactured and donated face shields which provides protection from airborne, droplet, or contact contamination. A particular item of PPE may last for one patient use but also may be reused under controlled settings.

Q: Are health care workers reusing PPE gear for multiple days?

A: Again, based on instructions that prioritize caregiver safety, it can be potentially used for more than one day, it will depend on the task and extent used.

Q: Have staff been instructed to enter a patient's rooms with an illness/condition that before would have required PPE but telling them to not use that sort of protection now?

A: Previously, we did isolation for certain conditions (i.e. MRSA colonization and others) and we did not retrospectively review them to identify opportunities to discontinue those practices. Based on an evidence-based review of scientific literature, we identified in fall 2019 that we had an opportunity to align with current recommendations and was able to make this transition in spring 2020.

Q: How are hospital managers communicating with staff regarding rules/procedures?

A: In daily huddles. Daily emails. Twice daily videos. Live web conference videos.

Q: Have elective surgeries truly been halted? We heard reports at certain hospitals this hasn't been the case.

A: Yes, they have been postponed at all INTEGRIS facilities. This also includes non-urgent imaging and GI procedures.

Q: Are staff members asked to come back even though they are waiting on test results after being tested for COVID-19?

A: If a caregiver was symptomatic, we ask that they go home to heal. During that time, depending on when you were identified as ill, we are working to deploy testing appropriately, balancing caregiver testing with patient testing. Once results are available, a member of the COVID Employee Health team will reach out to the caregiver and assess if symptomatic or can return according to our guiding medical bodies.

Q: Do staff have access or coverage to mental health professionals?

A: Yes, Employee Assistance Program is available for caregivers and family members if they need help handling stress or anxiety, especially during the COVID 19 pandemic. Guidance Coordinators are available 24/7 to listen to concerns and, if necessary, help you schedule an appointment with a counselor. INTEGRIS provides eight free counseling sessions per year per problem. Additionally, we have established Behavioral Health Virtual Visit options that we are prioritizing for those caregivers working in the COVID-19 units.

Q: We have repeatedly heard that healthcare professionals are scared to post on social media or voice concerns because they are worried about losing their jobs. What is your policy on social media/voicing concerns.  

A: Caregivers have the right to express their opinions about working conditions on their personal social media. However, INTEGRIS asks caregivers not to represent that they speak for or on behalf of the organization. Social media posts which violate HIPAA or patient privacy are of most concern and caregivers should be mindful not to ever disclose PHI on social media. If caregivers have concerns, we encourage them to call the INTEGRIS Caregiver Hotline if they cannot speak to their leader.