News & Events News & Events
News & Events

News & Events

Home
/
News
/
UIC Hospital Implements Universal Masking for Healthcare Workers
Mar 30, 2020
News

UIC Hospital Implements Universal Masking for Healthcare Workers

UIC Hospital Implements Universal Masking for Healthcare Workers

In response to pressure from INA nurses, who vehemently pursued policy change after 12 nurses became infected with COVID-19, Management for the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Systems has updated its policy to universal masking.

Previously, as you’ve no doubt heard in the news, UIC hospital nurses daily came to the front line of our state’s coronavirus battle, unsure if they would have masks, goggles or gloves. In some instances, they were scolded by supervisors for supplying their own masks, or wearing masks in the hallway.

We, together, all of us, raised a cry of concern that this was unacceptable.

In this updated policy, nurses treating non-COVID-19 patients will be provided a surgical cloth mask. For suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, nurses will be provided an N95 mask, which must be disposed of after leaving a patient’s room.

We thank INA Board president Terence Yee for sharing our concerns with WGN News. You can see the full story here.

Similar News

[Crain’s Chicago Business] Powerful nurses union slams Ascension outsourcing move
The Illinois Nurses Association is speaking out against nonprofit health system Ascension’s decision to outsource more than 100 clinicians at its Chicago hospitals to a staffing company owned by a...
Aug 14, 2024
[Chicago Tribune] More than 1,300 University of Illinois nurses vote to authorize strike
A strike date has not yet been set, and a strike could still be averted. The nurses and health system have several more bargaining dates scheduled for this week.
Aug 14, 2024
[Chicago Sun-Times] More than 1,700 University of Illinois nurses to go on 7-day strike later this month
Among the group’s demands are higher wages to meet rising costs of living, lower staff-to-patient ratios and an increase in paid parental leave from the current six weeks.
Aug 14, 2024