San Francisco Department of Public Health went live Thursday night to begin vaccinating patients for the H1N1 Flu. Lines for many of our District clinics weaved around several blocks and most did not close at the original 4o'clock time, closing instead at 11pm to meet the demand. Notices went out for volunteers, especially nurses, to help vaccinate this week. We are, like most Public Health systems, strapped for cash as budgets have been slashed and burned over the years with declining revenues and a recession. But if anyone ever doubted the need for a viable public health system with adequate nursing and support staff, come to San Francisco, visit our community clinics and talk with patients who are calling hourly, to find some place to get their kids vaccinated with the H1N1 vaccine.
As a Nurse Practitioner, I spent yesterday, working the phones, triaging phone calls from anxious parents, with and without health insurance, who have been told to go to our public health clinics for the shots and testing. One family, with a 7 day old baby, came to get the flu-mist and shot for both adults and their 8-year old son and needed education on both the vaccine and the flu itself. I sensed a great deal of relief once we offered to give the vaccine because many places have run out and will be getting more in by the end of the week. We are running short of needles and of course, beside seeing my patients, in between giving shots with our nurse, it has been tough dealing with an enhanced level of anxiety by the public and their concern that there will not be enough vaccine left.
The good news is that patients see the importance of a viable public health system ready, willing and ABLE to handle epidemics or in this case, pandemics, that are always looming in the background. We are the first line of defense for all patients, not just a few, with or without insurance, to ensure H1N1, doesn't spread. That includes support staff, some who may be losing their clerical jobs on November 14TH, as budget deficits continue to drain our Public health system of experienced people. That is why many nurses, like myself, will be donating time in after hours clinics to continue to triage and vaccinate the public, without pay. We have fewer nurses and have been told that next years budget deficit will be worse.
The bad news is that I don't think our politicians see the lines around the block and continue to not debate a better system of care where everyone would have a clinic, a doctor, a nurse and support staff to ensure that their care is the number one priority,not their health insurance and the profit motive that seems to be driving what passes for HCR in Washington DC these days. H1N1 could care less about what insurance you have. The lines I'm seeing and the desperate calls we are getting demonstrate that patients get the need for a universal system that exists to support all patients to prevent a pandemic. The public's health is important. I just wish our representatives would stand in line awhile to see that.
Lastly, thanks to CNA/NNOC and its work to get hospitals to provide more protection for its staff, including the N95 respirators, as the H1N1 spreads around the state. If nurses and support staff get sick, we will be unable to provide the care our patients and their families need.