Originally published October 14, 2014 at 6:27 PM | Page modified October 14, 2014 at 7:30 PM

Officials of a union that represents 26,000 health-care workers in the state say its members particularly those who clean hospital rooms are not being properly equipped, trained or supported to deal with potential Ebola cases.

Its a big concern and our people are on the front lines, said Chris Barton, secretary-treasurer of Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1199NW, and a nurse herself.

Several medical workers and union staffers met with the media outside Swedish Medical Center/First Hill campus Tuesday.

Im very worried, said Carmencita Smith, a longtime environmental-services worker who cleans rooms at Swedish. We need better equipment.

Shes worried that by the time a patient is confirmed to have Ebola, hospital workers may have already been exposed.

Smith said in 25 years of cleaning up messes most people wouldnt want to talk about, shes had minor ailments that may have been caused or aggravated by what she comes in contact with at work. Thats why shes frightened to be around a virus as deadly as Ebola.

But Smith said that when she mentioned her fear to her supervisor this week, she was told not to worry because Swedish wont get any Ebola cases.

She remains concerned the hospital wont know when patients arrive whether they have the deadly virus.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said all hospitals should be prepared to recognize, isolate and treat potential Ebola patients.

Originally posted here:

Health-care union says its members unprepared for Ebola cases