Wearing Masks and gloves in Triage

Specialties Emergency

Published

Specializes in ED, MED-SERG, CCU, ICU, IPR.

I have had more colds and flu since staring to work in Triage. More people come to the ER with the flu instead of staying home and toughing it out.

MAny times it is for a work excuse because employers expect one.

Recently, after suffering through another severe cold, I started wearing a mask and gloves while talking to patients and getting vital signs in Triage.

Of course, I apologize and tell them it is for their protection.

As more people use the ER instead of visting a PCP, will this be the norm?

Thought, coments and suggestions welcome. :rotfl:

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I work around a variety of sick people in homecare, luckily I have not had too bad a flu season myself. One thing I do every year is recieve a flu vaccine, take a daily vitamin and never ever put my hands near my mouth eye or nose unless i just washed my hand well.Good luck, wear your mask and gloves if it helps.

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WHy not plate glass, like at the bank? Pt's can talk into teh microphone.

Seriously, protect yourself. Being sick sucks.

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Specializes in ED, MED-SERG, CCU, ICU, IPR.
I work around a variety of sick people in homecare, luckily I have not had too bad a flu season myself. One thing I do every year is recieve a flu vaccine, take a daily vitamin and never ever put my hands near my mouth eye or nose unless i just washed my hand well.Good luck, wear your mask and gloves if it helps.

My my. How stupid am I. :crying2:

I do get a flu vaccine every year and I wash my hands between patients.

But, when we are seeing one patient after another and the entire ER lobby is full of people caughing, sneezing and vomiting, resistance is futile.

Thanks for the reply anyway.

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Specializes in ER.

We make the patients wear a mask if they have a cough. We also ask them to wear it while in the waiting room to protect others. In fact we have a sign at the triage window and a box of masks for them. Most patients seem to like wearing them. I think it makes them feel "sick enough" to be at the hospital.

You are right though, triage has it's hazards. If I am working on the floor, I am exposed to my 4-6 patients at any given time, but in triage the numbers are WAY up there in terms of exposure. Keep your immune system in top shape if possible. It's been a tough season.

God help us if the "bird flu" ever mutates and takes off! I understand it has close to a 70% mortality rate!!

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Specializes in ER.
We make the patients wear a mask if they have a cough. We also ask them to wear it while in the waiting room to protect others. In fact we have a sign at the triage window and a box of masks for them. Most patients seem to like wearing them. I think it makes them feel "sick enough" to be at the hospital.

You are right though, triage has it's hazards. If I am working on the floor, I am exposed to my 4-6 patients at any given time, but in triage the numbers are WAY up there in terms of exposure. Keep your immune system in top shape if possible. It's been a tough season.

God help us if the "bird flu" ever mutates and takes off! I understand it has close to a 70% mortality rate!!

We have the same...and its amazing really how many people really want to wear them...I don't wear gloves in triage unless, I have to touch the patient more than putting on the BP cuff...but I wash in between every single patient...

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I've always wondered about what "ickies" breed in those bp cuffs!?? Pens used to sign forms and that stethoscope bell??:rolleyes:

Since I am not yet a nurse (working hard to get there) I can see this from the patient's point of view. I know the last time I had to go just to my MD's office (asthma) , I was wishing that people had some masks on! I can imagine what must be floating around in and ED.... :uhoh21:

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I have recently started doing triage more often and have also noticed that I have been geting colds more often. Our triage area does not have a sink nearby to wash our hands in between each pt. We do keep antibacterial hand was up there, but personally I don't think it is the same as washing your hands with good old soap and hot water. Fortunately, they are in the process of renovating our triage and the new triage will have a sink. Maybe until then the glove and mask thing would be worth a try.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Another thing that may be of benefit is to see if you hospital will install one of those UV light sanitizers. I have seen a couple ER's with them in traige and other area. I the theroy behind them is as the air circulates by the device the bacteria in the air is killed by the UV light that they give off. The other option is to make sure the triage area has good positive airflow. For example dont close both doors, leave the one on the side leading to the rest of the ER open as long as you are there. As far as stethoscopes in triage mine gets used so infrequently in the age of electronic BP cuffs and pulse oximetery.

rj:rolleyes:

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Specializes in ED, MED-SERG, CCU, ICU, IPR.

Thanks for the useful suggestion. When we get a new Triage area, I will

put that in the suggestion box and give you the credit.

Another thing that may be of benefit is to see if you hospital will install one of those UV light sanitizers. I have seen a couple ER's with them in traige and other area. I the theroy behind them is as the air circulates by the device the bacteria in the air is killed by the UV light that they give off. The other option is to make sure the triage area has good positive airflow. For example dont close both doors, leave the one on the side leading to the rest of the ER open as long as you are there. As far as stethoscopes in triage mine gets used so infrequently in the age of electronic BP cuffs and pulse oximetery.

rj:rolleyes:

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Specializes in ED, MED-SERG, CCU, ICU, IPR.

Yes, we are also handing out masks to the patients in the ER waiting room.

The kids like them and the adults are very cooperative.

I am thinking that this will be the norm in ERs and Doctor's offices.

We make the patients wear a mask if they have a cough. We also ask them to wear it while in the waiting room to protect others. In fact we have a sign at the triage window and a box of masks for them. Most patients seem to like wearing them. I think it makes them feel "sick enough" to be at the hospital.

You are right though, triage has it's hazards. If I am working on the floor, I am exposed to my 4-6 patients at any given time, but in triage the numbers are WAY up there in terms of exposure. Keep your immune system in top shape if possible. It's been a tough season.

God help us if the "bird flu" ever mutates and takes off! I understand it has close to a 70% mortality rate!!

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