SARS in Toronto!

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey I just saw on the news that a thousand people have been quarentined at a hospital in Toronto!

Do you all know anything about this?

I hope our Toronto members are alright.

Is this virus realy something to be worried about or is it kind of being hyped like the shark attack thing?

Paul

Ah Wendy, please take care of yourself and get better soon! Think of all the drinking you can do in the cyber bar on your days off!! Don't feel bad for missing work--I'm sure all your coworkers know how caring you are for your patients.

Well isn't this just always a problem with Nursing- we don' t support each other- at least not all of us do. Recognize yourself JMP. If a nurse is immunocomprimised or pregnant she absolutely should not be looking after SARS pts. If her employer does not make these accommadations than she needs to make her own decision and mine would be to do whatever it takes to put my health first. While we all knew certain risks were inherent in our chosen proffession, no one could have predicted this. There is occupational health and safety issues and laws in place, which I hope will offer some protection to those nurses most at risk. While we all are unsure of the longterm effects of SARS, my heart goes out to my colleauges at greater risk. If you are pregnant, do not work with SARS pts, as you know you are not able to take the treatment--Ribaviran- at it is believed to cause miscarriages and birth defects(this applys to male RN's as well, as the effect on sperm is also a concern.) I for one support sick time or reassignment for anyone who needs it. We need to support each other through this, it is not going away quickly, at best we can hope the protection measures and diagnosis abilities will evolve. I have never been a big union person, but I must say the ONA has been great at getting info about sars and nurses rights, out to our members. Keep checking their website for the most recent ministry directives and advice about what to do many situations we are facing. Take Care All

Wendy,

Hope you are feeling better. I would call the 1 800 number on the N95 mask, and ask if they have an alternative type of mask for individuals with underlying conditions. We have had several types some less irritating. Also there is a warning on the mask. ( 3m at 1 800 267 4414)

Are you filling out the assessment sheets each day before entering the hospital. If you meet the suspect criteria are you not to be isolated for 10 days. Why just three days. Call CCOHS and get a second opinion. We have a right to work in a safe work place.

We are discharging our pts home with special self isolation precautions everyone gets 10 masks and twenty thermometers and they are to self isolate x 10 days. These pts have not been exposed as far as one can determine at this time. They were not wearing masks during their admission only if they left the unit. They did not have symptoms or meet the criteria so they qualified for discharge. Yet they are to self isolate.

Monday should present a new picture. We were told to expect more cases around the week end. I am going to keep an eye on the Health Canada site that defines the most recent cases.

It is the hospitals best interest to keep us front liners well and protected. Who else will nurse the community....We are valuable.

If you need more time and feel unwell take the time off and see your family MD. On a regular day its hard to work when you feel unwell. Wearing the isolation gear makes things worse. I am sure there are lots of casual staff to call on. I am sure we would not be so taxed if there were more full timers and our staff:patient ratios were reasonable. Put yourself first. Do not self sacrifice. Expect a safe work place. In my experience I have used other viable support systems to define what is safe for me. Really call CCOHS.( 905-572-4400) fax (905 372-4500) They have given me wise advice in the past.

You know what is good for you. Take care.

wendy hope you feel better soon. my mom has the same symptoms. she was a little worried because shr flew home from nova scotia to rouyn-noranda. she is calling the airline tommorrow to see if any passengers got on her flight with sars.

hugs, kisses break quarantine ( nurses diary)

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-06-0059.html

sars has canadians wary,survey shows

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-06-0005.html

sars toll 8

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-06-0006.html

caring blossoms in little girls memory

http:http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-06-0008.html

potential sars cure very risky

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-06-0052.html

to kids well down under

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-06-0053.html

vacation grounded

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-06-0055.html

a waiting game

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-06-0057.html

plaque for modern times

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-06-0060.html

sars claims an eighth toronto victim

http://www.canoe.ca/cnews/canada/2003/03/31/55090-cp.html

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Wendy, my thoughts and prayers are truly with you and the people of Toronto. I cannot imagine how things are for you right now. Just so you know, we now have our first confirmed case of SARS in Seattle. Frankly surprised it took this long, given our constant trade with Asia and the huge Asian population here. I am sure the numbers will explode soon as time goes by. I just hope we can get a grip on this before too long. Best to ya, Wendles.

My best wishes are with all of you in the Great North - we've had only a few "possibles" here in MI, but people are still getting concerned. Our son was supposed to go to China next month for a college cross cultural experience - the trip has been cancelled. This mom's heart is much relieved. Hope you are feeling better Wendy - your courage in encouraging

Take care WENDY and try to get some rest.

If you wanna share just PM me

Paul

More news none of it good

SARS toll at 9

http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoNews/ts.ts-04-07-0003.html

Pearson terminal allows quarantine

http:http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoNews/ts.ts-04-07-0005.html

Dying Mother alone

http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoNews/ts.ts-04-07-0027.html

Scare ends at hospital

http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoNews/ts.ts-04-07-0029.html

Man holed up in Hong Kong

http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoNews/ts.ts-04-07-0030.html

Sick couple taken off flight

http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoNews/ts.ts-04-07-0031.html

Canuck treated in China

http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoNews/ts.ts-04-07-0033.html

SARS death toll reaches 9 in Canada

http://www.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2003/03/31/55090-cp.html

I have PM'd Wendy with my support, but I wanted to go public on this thread with my opinion: she needs to protect herself, because we need her in this world and the profession needs her. And yes, she is indeed a professional that we can be proud of.

I, too, have an autoimmune condition ("Lupus lite", my doctor has called it). When my hospital system was asking for people to take the smallpox vaccine, I was asked if I would do so. My background is Critical Care, although now I'm Administrative, and I would have been an ideal candidate. I asked my Rheumatologist, who told me not to do it. Should I, as a healthcare professional, have thrown myself on the sword and done it anyway? Risked my health, and possibly my life, in the service of my calling? (Pause here for dramatic organ music). Hey, I'm insured, so my family would have been cared for.

Instead, I took what some on this board may view as the cowardly and "unprofessional" way out; I refused, citing my condition and my physician's words. I'm not a complete wimp; I've hauled my dead body to work sick more than once, puked in trash cans and worn a mask at a patient's bedside when I had a respiratory infection. I've accepted physical and verbal abuse from the sick and confused (as well as from my stressed peers, but that's another thread). Like Wendy, I wish I was 100% healthy and could do whatever needed to be done at no cost to myself. And yes, I feel like poop about myself, especially after reading the opinions of some colleagues on this board.

Wendy has so much intelligence and exuberance to give to her peers and her future patients. She also has an obligation to guard herself, if only for those who value her. And I would gladly go toe-to-toe with anyone who challenges her professinalism.

i've said this before and will say it agian for wendy and mousenurse, as well as others in their position. as professionals we musst takes care of our own health and safety ao we can better deal with others. take care of your self first. with that said some more links.

ailing nurse on road to recovery

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-08-0051.html

medics gambled on health and won

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-08-0047.html

aussies clear 3 ro kids

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-08-0054.html

world death climbs to 100

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-08-0053.html

survivor pleads for tolerance

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-08-0050.html

funreal posed risk

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-08-0049.html

tips on handling stress

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-08-0008.html

no magic bullet

http://www.canoe.ca/torontonews/ts.ts-04-08-0006.html

HELLO!!!!!??? Anyone out there with a clue who actually read my posts???? Seems like people "scan" these days...not actually read.

Lets set the record straight OK???

My original post related to a post by PASSING THRU, who gave Wendy the advice to "stay home...quit her job..... AND live off credit cards". Now, this was the unprofessional post that I took exception to. This poster (Passing Thru) has made posts in the past and as recently as last night that I find irritating, sillly and questionable.

Wendy, from what I read, is home, with a respiratory illness.... resting and I am sure ( and hope feeling better). It is not easy or fun right now to work with SARS. It is a challenge and it is stessful.

People get sick=people stay home. No problem. To react like a hysterical hyennia and give advice that a RN should quit-live off credit in my books sucks the big one. However, I see by subsequent posters that to point that out was not "supportive". I stand by my opinion. The advice was unprofessional.

darn, I had this great response all typed up and then whammo gone , anyhow I'll keep this simple...

thank you to everyone for caring so much, I cannot begin to tell you how much it means to me that I have a place where I can come and talk about a situation that is affecting me on a personal and professional level and not only get support but helpful practical advice, so thanks (and nursemouse, your words made me feel so much better, i have been feeling misearbly - physically and emotionall the past few days)

anyhow moving on, SARS is still very real here ,10th death confirmed and they are querying an 11th death..... some of the nurses I work with are under quarantine and some are in hospital getting treatment for suspected/probable SARS , my semester in school came to an abrupt end and we still dont know when or if we are doing an exam.......... its all very trying and frustrating, some of my classmates have taken care of the SARS patients who have passed away ,so as you can imagine ,they are not in a frame of mind, heck I dont think any of us are , to be studying right now.

wearing the N95 mask is no treat, you are basically rebreathing your own C02, it makes you dizzy lightheaded and lethargic, after my 12 hour shifts I Feel like I have worked doubles, it affects our interaction with our patients and frightens a lot of elderly/confused patients.

on a personal note ,my own health scare was sobering , I woke up in the morning with a temp of 38.6 , SOB , and muscle stiffness and pain, the thoughts running through my head were "what if "

you know , perhaps its could be SARS related, that in my opinion is not hysteria or paranoia, its fear...

yes although the people who have died had underlying health concerns, normally healthy individuals have also contracted SARS, many of them my fellow nurses.

I wont argue with anyone here , I dont feel this is a time to argue, however I do see your point JMP , but making comments about us not bothering to read, or can any of us read etc is insulting and frustrating.

you have , on many occasions expressed your point of view, and i respect that greatly, my point of view is somewhat different.....

you post about supporting the ability instead of the disability of our fellow nurses, and that nurses who choose to work in acute care need to understand what can happen in these settings....

I would like to just explain that I didnt choose to get lupus *what kind of an idiot would choose that?* and although, thankfully on a day to day basis it does not affect my work at all, I dont think I should be looked down upon , or questioned when my health does become an issue

we all have such compassion for our patients, the general public ,but what about compassion for eachother?

we need nurses, we need good ,caring, intelligent, compassionate nurses , if some of these nurses have health concerns or injuries , then accomodation should be made for them, not special treatment, accomodation , two different ideas there...

I put myself in someone elses shoes on a daily basis , we have nurses who have serious back injuries , a nurse with cancer etc and our unit would not be as good as it is without them......

the acute care setting needs their brains and their competency.......

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