How do I find out Hosp. specific TB stats??

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I recently had an exposure to TB that I am 99.99999% positive occurred while I was working. I am hoping that one of the I.D. Nurses can help me figure out how to get some pretty specific statistics about hospital acquired TB infections that my empoyer seems to have a vested interest in keeping out of the public arena. My questions are as follows:

How would I find specific stats about (1)the number of employee (not just healthcare workers, but others, like janitorial, etc.) exposures to TB occurring at the hospital where I work, during a specific, recent time-period, and (2) how would I find out how many patients in this hospital were known to have/diagnosed with contagious TB during their stay (whether the hosp was treating the TB or not) during the same specific, recent time-period?

I am not contagious, but am taking the meds as a prophyaxis, as I am required to do if I wish to retain my job. My last TB test (approx. 6 mo.'s before) was negative, but I re-tested positive after I woke up one morning, blind in my right eye. The dx was TB of the eye.

I am not allowed to return to work until I've gone through 2 of a minimum of 9 months of medication, which I must take daily in front of a county Public Health Dep't. worker. I filed for workmans comp., to help cover tx expenses, and also in case my sight is not restored, or gets worse down the road, or the tb returns or is proven to be med-resistant. Workmans comp sent me a denial letter on the same day they sent me the forms to fill out if I wanted my case to be investigated/decided upon.

So.. I have a lawyer now, and am petitioning to have the denial overturned. Work Comp was denied because they are stating I can't prove I got exposed at work. They think they have me between a rock/hard place, i.e.; "We won't believe you got it at the hosp unless you tell us who gave it to you, but if you tell us who gave it to you, you are violating HIPPA and we'll fire you." However, lawyer says I just have to prove that it is more likely that I (a PNA who works in a locked psych/drug rehab unit w/many of our pts recent emigres of Africa, So. America, and the Phillipines) got it on the job than on the street.

My lawyer asked me to get statistics that prove how likely it is that I got exposed at work, which I cannot seem to find. I can find general ones, but nothing that mentions any incidence whatsoever of TB at my specific hospital. I'm hoping that I.D. Nurses (like nurses everywhere) have the lowdown on where to get/how to get the data I need.

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

A court ordered subpoena to employee health or the health department

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

why is your lawyer asking for you to do HIS leg work...doesn't he have a paralegal?

TB is reportable check with the CDC.

If this is currently under litigation it would be in your best interest to NOT discuss it on social media.

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I'm guessing that'd be because he's not charging me for his representation. He's a member of my union (AFSCME) and has taken a lot of time out of his already very busy schedule to help me w/out charge.

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I was hoping that there was an easier/quicker way. I've already waded thru' the "wonder" site at the CDC's website, only to find that it was much less specific than I need. I was really hoping that someone out there knew of a kind of 'back door' route to looking up the research or white papers that I need to find. Oh welll....

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I was hoping that there was an easier/quicker way. I've already waded thru' the "wonder" site at the CDC's website, only to find that it was much less specific than I need. I was really hoping that someone out there knew of a kind of 'back door' route to looking up the research or white papers that I need to find. Oh welll....

Not a legal one and you would be asked how you got access to confidential information. Generalized statistics are available from the health department and CDC. The specific information you are seeking would require a subpoena/court order as it would possibly include confidential patient identifiers (job titles, etc). County health departments are charged with compiling ID statistics. You could inquire but you are likely to get aggregate data not the extremely specific data statistics you are seeking.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I was hoping that there was an easier/quicker way. I've already waded thru' the "wonder" site at the CDC's website, only to find that it was much less specific than I need. I was really hoping that someone out there knew of a kind of 'back door' route to looking up the research or white papers that I need to find. Oh welll....

He is still a lawyer and is being paid for by your Union and that is what your Union dues pay for so yes you are paying him. If he is just another member of your Union my question is why is your Union not fighting this for you? Anything admissible in court cannot come from the "backdoor". Your attorney can get the statistics from the facility by a subpoena of the statistics.

Since this is involves litigation as per the Terms of Service we cannot offer legal advice.

I wish you the best.

Thread closed.

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