Can you explain what exactly I was exposed to?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I work at a hospital and was contacted last week about an exposure at work from the occupational health department. After working this past weekend, I was disgusted to find out what happened.

As the story goes, an ICU patient was undergoing continuous dialysis. The machine evidently leaked waste and said waste somehow managed to drip down into the pizza oven and then end up on the pizza I ate. The hospital's initial communication seemed to be rather "nothing to see here", we've fixed it, and we're open for business again. This detail wasn't revealed to the entire hospital-just those determined to consume the pizza from the video/receipts from those using direct withdrawal from theirr checks to pay and showing those who purchased the pizza. As it tuns out, the patient was positive fo Hep C.

I'm an RN with just 1.5 years of expeience and know vitually nothing about dialysis. What exactly have I been exposed to from a biological or chemical perspective? I'm really put off by their attitude about this being no big deal, but it's a big enough deal I now need to go in and have blood draws done now, 30 days, 90 days, and 180 days. To top it off I'm transitioning to a new hospital and will no longer be working there a month fom now. I'm contemplating contacting an attorney to pursue damages. Am I overreacting? Granted, in this field, I'm subject to exposures and need to take precautions, but this is a situation that I had no chance of preventing.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Why was the dialysis waste by the pizza?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Why was the dialysis waste by the pizza?

That's exactly what I was wondering??

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is gross. Eeeeeeeewww.

I am not a Hep C expert but I think it would be unlikely for a blood-borne virus to live through the sort of adventure it would have had to get into your stomach, and even then, we're talking "blood-borne," not "food borne." I mean, through layers of floor (or whatever), into a hot oven, and all that tomato sauce and cheese and all ...

That said, sure, get an attorney of record, get it in writing that your present employer will cover the cost of all the surveillance labs, and make a work comp claim to get the timing on the record so in the wildly unlikely chance you get Hep C and its type is a match for the patient's), they can't say you got it somewhere else. We can't give legal advice, which is why you want your atty in on this from the beginning.

I am so sorry you have to go through this. But I am fascinated enough to hope you'll come back and let us know what happens.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I never comment, but *** man? Meaning it leaked down the wall from a floor above and on through to the pizza oven through the pipes? I am so mind boggled as to how dialysis waste can get in Pizza first and second ****** ******* that is beyond gross to think about and I have seen some good stuff in my day! SO sorry for you. I am sure you are fine, but Gawd. What else was contaminated?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Why was the dialysis waste by the pizza?

I should have been more specific. The ICU is on the 3rd floor and cafeteria on the 2nd floor. However it happened, the runoff went into the oven.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

EWE....that is gross.....this may help with information....http://www.pdiconnect.com/content/25/5/478.full.pdf

we cannot give medical advice as per the TOS....your PCP would best be the person to ask these questions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I should have been more specific. The ICU is on the 3rd floor and cafeteria on the 2nd floor. However it happened the runoff went into the oven.[/quote']

I have nothing to add but WHAAAT?!?!?

:no:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
EWE....that is gross.....this may help with information....http://www.pdiconnect.com/content/25/5/478.full.pdf

we cannot give medical advice as per the TOS....your PCP would best be the person to ask these questions.

I'm not asking for medical advice. The only problem with going to my PCP for this exposure is that the visit/co-pay as a result of this comes out of my pocket. I'm told I will see a NP when I go in for the blood draw tomorrow at the occupational health center.

I'm mainly interested in knowing whether I'm out of line in seeking out my legal options for this as this is going to be a burden on me down the road, not to mention knowing how nasty this is. People have sued restaurants for nastiness appearing in their food-how is this any different?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

As per the Terms of Service, agreed upon at registration, we cannot offer legal advice either. If you are considering legal action I would keep it off social media.

I wish you the best. Thread closed

Medical Advice:

ALLNURSES.COM, INC or it's members do not offer medical advice. Any requests for such will be taken down. If you have a medical problem, please seek attention from your health care provider. You are not allowed to ask for medical advice related to a health situation that affects you, a family member, or someone you know.

Legal Advice:

ALLNURSES.COM, INC or it's members do not offer legal advice. Any requests for such will be taken down. If you have a legal problem, please seek legal counsel.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment