Is this the Norm?

[jen75RN]

I'm new to pediatric private duty.I have been working for three weeks on a trach and g button kid that needs very frequent sunctioning. I just found out today at the doctor's appointment that my pt has MRSA the doc had his hx from previous inpatient stay a month ago. The mrsa is present in his secretions and rectum. The problem is I was never told about this by my agency. When I called them to inform them on why I wasn't informed or at least provided with the necessary PPE. They said they were unware of the mrsa status. How is this possible is this common practice in pediatric private duty not to disclose all the information?

[nursel56]

He has a chart in the home? Are there records in it that refer to hospitalizations? Do you do his Plan of Care form (485)? Whoever is responsible for that should be informed when the patient is hospitalized and new orders, current dx, etc. reflected in that Plan of Care. The patient's doctor has to sign that form.

I think the person who updated his info dropped the ball. I do know that agencies can be left out of the loop and it wouldn't be unusual that his records aren't kept up to date. If there is no documentation in the chart of his post-hospital orders/dx start calling people until you get them. Agencies don't put their nurses well-being very high on their priorities, unfortunately. Hope it helps a little anyway!

[caliotter3]

Agencies frequently are left out of the information loop and it doesn't help when the person doing the intake doesn't make much of an effort to dig a little for pertinent info. It also was a responsibility of the patient's family to give as much info as possible according to their ability to grasp what is going on. Some people can talk to you better than the doctors on the case, and others don't want to have anything to do with the information, all they care about is that you show up at the house so they can go about their daily lives. You need to be on the lookout for all sources of info, particularly when you go to the doctor appointments with the patient. Don't be afraid to ask questions there and also to provide your input to the doctor.

[holisticallyminded]

Funny- same exact thing happened happened to me. NEVER mentioned in chart. The best part was that one of the other day nurses knew and didn't pass it on because "it is so common and it doesn't affect us because we're healthy." I was ******. I've got a toddler at home and I take care of my friend's special needs kid on my days off as part of a childcare swap. I started thinking about how many times I'd been coughed on (MRSA in the trach) b/c the mother would pull the kid's nose off when she'd cough and let her cough right on me! I don't work with the family anymore (other issues) but it's stuff like this......