This is a public statement issued by the American Nurses Association\California Executive Director on January 10, 2022.
Sacramento, CA – The American Nurses Association\California questions the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) decision to update quarantine and isolation standards for asymptomatic healthcare professionals, citing critical staffing issues. This guidance tilts towards economic needs as opposed to the health needs of nurses and other health care workers.
ANA\California is concerned that the return-to-work guidance for all health care personnel under the updated mitigation strategies has and will continue to endanger the health and safety of health care workers and those they encounter.
“While staffing shortages are challenging for facilities experiencing a surge in cases, we must prioritize health care workers’ and patients’ health and safety, including allowing for sufficient time off for health care employees,” said ANA President Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN.
ANA\California urges the CDPH to reconsider these guidelines and for policymakers to aggressively pursue other strategies to bolster the health care system, including more protective procedures based on scientific evidence and research.
Sincerely,
Dr. Marketa Houskova, DNP, MAIA, BA, RN Executive Director, ANA\California