Calling those in healthcare, isolation precaution question

CML11

Ok so dealing with sick patients is part of my job. I do therapy in a nursing home, so we are accustomed to C-Diff, shingles, VRE and MRSA being the most prevalent.
So are you avoiding isolation rooms or just following universal precautions and hope that everyone else follows them too?
I ask because my boss (though she knows of our IVF) put a patient with C-Diff on my schedule.
Is it worth making a big deal over it?

katers79

I'm a dietitian and I'm in and out of multiple facilities every day. But as an RD, I'm not hands on like RN's or therapy.

IMO, it depends on the pt and I mostly follow universal precautions. If shingles, I don't go in because it's recommended that pregnant women don't. MRSA,VRE and Cdiff, universal precautions.

Hope that helps!

O2girl

If you are following the precaution protocols , I'd say don't worry. I took care of patients with all of those during stimms. When I did my transfers I was just more hyper vigilant about washing. I don't trust hand sanitizers so I'm a wash wash wash kinda girl.

BunInTheLab

I'm a nurse... I'm going to just follow precautions and wear gloves with all meds (certain meds ie transplant can harm embryo/fetus). I think we'll be just fine!

SweetieShellieH

@O2girl‌ I remember when I was at school for medical laboratory sciences, we conducted an experiment to see which method of hand washing was best. It turned those who had washed their hands with soap and water had MORE BACTERIA then they did BEFORE washing. Hand sanitizers got rid of the most bacteria. The hospital I work at actually recommends it over regular soap and water, unless of course your hands are visibly soiled.

@CML11‌ you shold just make sure you take the proper precautions (although I'm sure you always do:) ). And if you notice others not complying, say something to them or a supervisor. I don't mean tell them what you are doing, just that they should be doing it anyway!

CML11

@SweetieShellieH‌ sanitizer will not kill C-Diff spores and of course you cannot see them. Only hand washing with soap and water.

Even though I glove and gown, my shoes and the bottom half of my pants are not covered and could be collecting spores.

kristyn831

I'm an ICU nurse and I'll continue to care for those patients with MRSA, VRE, and C-diff.  I'm exempt from taking care of patients with shingles and chicken pox when pregnant.  In general, I always leave my work shoes in the back of my car and I don't wash scrubs at home, I exchange them at the hospital.

Also, should the situation arise, I will not take care of an Ebola patient.

alpCRNA

I don't really have the option not to care for patient's on isolation.  I follow the necessary precautions for each illness.  I know my pregnant co-workers still take care of the isolation patients as well.  The only exceptions are shingles and TB.