Rather than bring her scrubs home, Visnovec, who lives with her immune-suppressed nephew, chooses to ditch the teal-colored scrubs she owns in favor of the freshly laundered blue hospital scrubs that are readily available in the locker room to doctors and physician’s assistants.
For that, she’s been written up twice, earning her a Level II on a five-point disciplinary scale that ends with suspension and possibly termination. Unless their own attire is visibly soiled and contaminated, she said, the blue scrubs are off-limits to E.R. nurses and techs.
At least five E.R. workers say they’re in similar straits. On Monday, E.R. nurse Cliff Willmeng joined a worker protest outside United Hospital moments after receiving his latest written warning, at least his fifth disciplinary action since March.
Willmeng, who used to ditch his work clothes in his garage for days, dons the laundered blue scrubs when he can.
In a written statement, Allina Health officials said all healthcare systems are managing limited supplies against the pandemic. Its practices are aligned with other local hospitals preparing for a patient surge.
“Our policies prioritize the safety of our staff and patients, while enabling us to allocate the appropriate supplies for daily patient care and for a spike in COVID-19 cases,” the statement read.
Allina noted it has not disciplined any employee for raising safety concerns.
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