If there was a SARS case in USA?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Would your hospital be ready for SARS if it appeared right now? Would you volunteer to work with these patients IF that is truly what they have? If not, why not?

Would you only work if your are absolutely mandated as the patient is IN your unit?

I had a meeting yesterday with the powers that be, and my suspention wil not be removed. It was said they they will, once again, talked to the House Supervisors about inapropriate floating. That's it! WE (staff) have heard it all before. There is a planned exodus of several nurses from my dept.They(mgt) just don't get it. Everyone is so angry. According to the lawer, the only thing we can to is file formal c/o with the NLRB and OSHA. That is being done today. that place is leaving a really bad taste in my mouth, bottom line is the almighty dollar. Pt. safety concerns will always be put to the side. Argh.

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I am sorry to hear how this is turning out for you. It sounds like your concern for the patients is formost in your conduct. It is unfortunate that the hospitals treat good staff so poorly. Everyone loses when good staff leave because of issues surrounding safety and patient welfare.

I wish you all the best.

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Good luck Noelle! This floating abuse is a real PITA where I am too. Not to your extreme, but they floated a nurse to the Newborn Nursery on Christmas! Meaning some there got off and NICU staffed their unit! So wrong!

Back to the topic, volunteer? No. I've never been one to jump up and want to care for isolation pts only because I get so darn hot! But I've worked with some nasty crap before so as long as I use precations I wouldn't worry...too much.

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Nothing is ever 100%. However, the precautions (WHEN USED PROPERLY) are extremely effective. I know there have been people choosing not to use precautions all the time when they are in the hospital. They seem to have the attitude of "it couldn't happen to me". I have personally seen people (docs and nurses) refuse to fasten their masks properly and complain bitterly about being forced to wash their hands and be screened before entering the hospital.

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Exactly Fergus, I think if I felt confident in the way my facility was handling the case, and I would not be in direct contact with exposed heathcare workers, it would be a whole other story. I explained that to mgt. If I had not been on OB call, I would have gone to help. Mgt. dropped the ball, and I paid the price. I don't think they will ever learn.

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I would be EXTREMELY upset if I were in your situation nursenoelle! I am fortunate in that our hospital's management is serious about containing this illness and protecting the staff. It is very frustrating when you see those staff members complaining about it, especially when there are managers out there (like yours) who seem content to put patients or staff at risk!

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My facility is keeping on top of things -- even have had a hospital-wide SARS "code." We are set up for the real thing. We have a designated floor where the patients would go -- private, negative-pressure rooms -- a nurse manager who has cross-trained for this specialized "unit" -- and staff who have been specially trained to care for these patients. The reason we had the "code" was to see how fast/how many staff members could come in to fill the holes created by staff who had volunteered/received specialized training who would be staffing the "SARs" unit. The mock code went well. We've had inservices for staff (optional but recommended, we have up-to-date information on my facililty's web site. I feel my facility is well prepared.

Noelle -- only specially trained nurses should be caring for SARS patients -- to float an OB nurse is negligent on your facility's part. And not to put the patient in a negative pressure room? Check out the CDC's site and recommendations. Yes, I would care for any SARS patient -- but I would expect my facility to provide me with the training/tools so that I could deliver safe, efficient care WHILE I was also able to protect myself and my other patients. Sue

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This might sound like dirty pool but have you thought of contacting your local newspaper about your hospital's lack or concern for not only the staff but for the patients...... I know my local small town hospital is heavy into advertising because so many people are going 20 miles away to a hospital with a better reputation. They get so much negative word of mouth around here that they sure would'nt want a newpaper or local TV station to publise this kind of info You and your fellow nurses could send in a letter to the editor if the paper is not interested. With the SARS scare around it could be the pressure you need to get something done. I know this sounds kinda crappy but it sounds like they aren't playing fair either. I am thinking OSHA should help you out too Well Good Luck and please don't flame me these are just thoughts

Rhonda

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Rhonda- you sure your in Missouri? Our town is tiny, and we have 1 hospital. There are two better/bigger facilities 30 miles away. Big advertising here to. The news paper reported it, but the whole dang town already knew. Was kinda funny, "we cannot name the town, b/c you would be able to figure out". HIPPA my hiney, this is Arkansas. We have pretty much a bandaid hospital. So, the townsfolk is thinking, "what the heck is that guy doin' there?!" Although I must say, our maternal child dept was steller.

Fergus and Susan- I am soo jealous of anybody who gets anyone besides the good old boy network running their workplace.

By the way, the guy is improving,no temp and hungry, and is in neg pressure room. BUT I read that humidified 02 aerosilizes the virus. Heck, what do I know.

Toronto RN- Thanks too for the insight and links. I have printed them to turn in with my atatement for my file, and the letter to the CEO.

Everyone here has been so helpful with all of this. Memorial weekend '03-what a riot.

And- The whole hospital is in an uproar, some nurses who refused, even from that unit, went without punishment. This had many many nurses p.o.'d . *shudders* I am so glad I am outta there. Back to LTC I go.

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Originally posted by Nurse Ratched

I would not refuse to care for a SARS patient. Nursenoelle, your situation clearly is a little different - another case of abusive floating practices. IMO, floating should happen when there is no other choice - not to purposely call off qualified staff to move less familiar staff in to the area. And to have potentially exposed nurses possibly further spreading it to their patients with the only precaution being to take the temps regularly?? Sheesh. Yeah - I think you had cause to say "bite me" and refuse to possibly expose your helpless patient population given the crappy precautions they were taking.

Excellent post. No wonder there's a mass exodus from bedside nursing. Sue

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There was an article in our local newspaper about a similar incident with the temp taking. They said they had a suspected SARS case and about 20 employees had been exposed. They were not isolating just taking temps. I thought, "excuse me but they better call Toronto".

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