分析抗煞事件中護理專業面臨之危機

The Challenge of the SARS Crisis to the Nursing Profession

SARS自2003年3月繼香港；加拿大；越南；新加坡各國之後，席捲全台，造成整個台灣醫療體制、社會秩序、國家經濟等層面遭遇重大之損失。SARS為21世紀的新興疾病，疾病特性與防疫方法，中外科學家們仍在努力研擬中。護理專業值SARS肆虐、於窕內感染下，已有四位護理人員因公殉職，許多護理人員因遭感染而在急救邊緣，生死未卜。大家護理人員在危險之工作環境下，於防護設備與護理人力嚴重不足中，搶救感染病患與出入隔離環境。然以上之工作環境因持續未獲政府與相關單位之回應與改善，而造成許多護理人員身心交瘁，無以附加。也因而衍生集體辭職等專業倫理相關之問題。SARS事件對護理專業產生極大之衝擊與危機，以上危機若能獲得政府與專業人員之共識與重視，儘速謀求改善之途，將能為護理專業開拓新機。

Following the SARS outbreaks in Hong Kong, Canada, Vietnam, and Singapore since March 2003, the SARS situation in Taiwan is continuing to deteriorate. The rapid and unexpected spread of SARS has caused a great harm to Taiwan's medical health care system, social order and economics. Scientists and medical experts are still working on this newly emerged illness of the 21st century. So far, four nurses have died of SARS infection contracted while caring for hospitalized patients, and there are still several infected nursing staff fighting with the disease and on the verge of death. Due to shortages of protective equipment and manpower, nursing staff have to work in a high-risk environment caring for suspected patients. With little response and effective action from officials and authorities, the increasing stress has exhausted nursing staff both physically and mentally. As a result, many doctors and nurses have quit their jobs, arousing controversy over ethical issues. The SARS crisis has had a great impact on the nursing profession. Only when Taiwan's authorities and specialists come to a consensus and establish effective measures can the crisis be overcome.