December 21, 2012
Nurses Object To Flu Face Masks
[snip]
The MNA said in an announcement this week that there is no evidence that masks will help prevent the transmission of influenza, and they likened the policies to bullying.
"Hospitals are using this coercive tactic to boost flu vaccination rates to avoid losing Medicare funding, instead of implementing truly effective prevention strategies, including safe RN staffing," the union said.
A piece of Medicare reimbursement is tied to a requirement that 90 percent of hospital staff receive influenza vaccinations, the union noted.
Harrington said in an announcement this month that the masks are critical to patient safety...
