Contagious infections
@GardenGerty (169452)
United States
January 2, 2007 9:44am CST
How would you feel if you learned by accident that someone you take care of has a contagious infection/condition that cannot be cured, and is highly transmissable, and supervising staff did not make this info known to you, the primary care provider? It has just happened to my hubby, involves Hepatitis C, I have also seen it happen re: MRSA and VRE. I believe this is irresponsible. Sometimes family members are not told either, and they do not even take precautions to protect themselves.
2 people like this
6 responses
@bfarrier1 (2082)
• United States
1 Mar 08
I work in a nursing home and staff is always informed of these situations,I would be pretty mad if I found out they didn't let us know. Sorry that happened to your husband he must have worked for a not cared for nursing home. Happy Leap day!
@GardenGerty (169452)
• United States
2 Mar 08
Actually he left that nursing home. Right before the ceiling fell in on half the facility. Even some very good nursing homes choose to interpret the privacy laws in such a way that it puts others at risk. Thanks for joining in this discussion.
@Eskimo (2315)
•
4 Jan 07
This seems to happen more & more, not so long ago hospitals used to use barrier nursing for MRSA, and when transferring patient back to nursing homes, they were placed in isolation rooms until the MRSA clears up, now because there is so much of it they don't seem to bother. No wonder it is so prevelant now.
I really feel for you, you should have been told immediately of any condition which affects family members, but I understand that some hospital staff hide behind rules of 'Patient Confidentially' so that they feel that they don't have to tell anyone else, even if the condition was caused by staff negligence in the first place.
@GardenGerty (169452)
• United States
5 Jan 07
My husband works in a nursing home, and I have. I have worked with people who were total isolation, and then those who are just casually treated. I understand about Hippa, but if he knows, I do not believe it actually is a privacy violation. It is just convenient not to inform.
1 person likes this
@mamabulldog60 (351)
• United States
2 Jan 07
That's why its called universal precautions, treat everyone as if they are contagious, then there is no problems later. Any patient who takes offense, just tell them hey I might be contagious, this way we are both better off.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169452)
• United States
2 Jan 07
We approach pathogens the same way, whether working with old peple or young. Not everyone does. Sometimes there is still accidental exposure, and with some of these things if you know what you are exposed to, you will be more aggressive in the clean up. It would not make a bit of difference in the care he gives, though, and most nursinghome residents are accustomed to this.I took issue as social services when a family member was handling clothes with seepage from a MRSA wound barehanded. The care giver was also immunocompromised from chemo. No one told her that this is a serious infection.
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
10 Feb 07
That is terrible, I would feel really badly. And it would make me upset, becuase it is irresponsible. Sometimes, we have to leave everything to fate, but still, some people are dishonest, and they do not think about the welfare of others. If I had children, I would be even more upset, because they could contract it also...and then where would I be?
1 person likes this
@Julia1970 (410)
• United States
4 Jan 07
It has happened to me & It is not right. As a caretaker I feel that I am exposed and have the right to know. The D.O.N. said that the H.I.P.A. laws prevent the facilitiy from telling anyone other than the patient. I am all about protecting my patient's privacy BUT my health is more important to me than someone's privacy, especially when the facility continually runs out of gloves and masks!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169452)
• United States
2 Mar 08
Yikes!!! I would be finding a new place to work. Hippa can be interpreted very strictly or a little loosely to protect those around who provide care.
@bestisyettocome (1531)
• United States
9 Feb 07
ANYONE who violates HIPPA laws are subject to fines AND jail time. Nurses could lose their licenses. They are not allowed to tell the caregivers. For health care workers, universal precautions should be used on EVERY client, and this should be enough to keep from contracting Hepatitis C, MRSA, VRE, and C-Diff. I know for C-Diff, hand sanitizer is NOT an effective means of ridding the germ from your hands. Soap and water is.
1 person likes this
