Santa Monica nurses back on the job after suspension for refusing to work without N-95 masks

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- Ten nurses at a Santa Monica hospital, suspended after refusing to treat coronavirus patients without N-95 respirator masks, are back on the job.

The nurses, who work at Providence Saint John's Health Center, have all been issued written warnings in their employment records.
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MORE: Santa Monica nurses suspended for refusing COVID-19 care without N95 mask

And the hospital is now supplying N-95 masks.

The hospital maintained its medical staff had been provided protective gear under guidelines set by the CDC and the World Health Organization. Hospital officials noted that N-95 masks were subject to a national shortage..

"There is a national shortage of PPE, including N95 masks. We do not manufacture these, and are at the mercy of the supply chain to increase our supplies," the hospital said..
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Now, the hospital says, it has received increased inventory and has received authorization to reprocess existing masks.

Saint John's is now providing the higher-level N-95 masks to all nurses who treat COVID-19 patients.

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