[NatalieGRN]

I am really considering going to peds (worked w/ adults for 6 years). The big question my husband brought up- I will likely bring a lot of bugs home. What do you do to protect your own kids? Do they get sick a lot since you started peds?
Natalie

[EricJRN]

Two things that come to mind:

- Good handwashing

- Taking your scrubs off and out to the laundry as soon as you get home

[vamedic4]

Eric said it best...I'll only add that I wear those little surgical booties over my shoes to protect them and remove them prior to heading out the front door of the hospital. And removing my shoes prior to coming in the house.

I also used to mix a 10:1 bleach solution and spray the bottoms of my shoes with it at home. Just "slightly" anal, I know.

Clean your stethoscope after your shift as well, kids love to play with them and they can be downright nasty if not cleaned.

vamedic4
Going back to sleep soon

[llg]

There are "bugs" everywhere -- not just in pediatrics.

[janfrn]

I'm the mom of a transplant recipient, and I've worked peds for 12 years; I've looked after kids with some of the most virulent organisms known to man. In all that time I have never brought anything home for him to catch, and I don't do anything special except scrupulous handwashing. That's not to say that when I first started in peds I didn't catch everything that was going around, including pertussis... But I'm selfish and kept it to myself.