Ebola- Quarantine/Quasi quarantine Yes or No?

SandyB · Oct 29, 2014

If there is to be a quarantine that is monitored, like they tried with the tent, what would be the best set up...assuming a few folks did turn up with ebola, like the doctor in NY did?

Cabins somewhere made from cinder block? RV's? Tents in a nice climate? Food delivery has to be a given. But describe what you could stand to put up with were it to happen to you.

I'd be ok with RV or cabin, chair/lounge outside, roped off area I can walk around the RV-I still need exercise, food, wifi, getting to see people from a safe number of feet away-no physical contact but seeing someone I love in person and hearing their voice would go a long way to making me feel good, things like knitting or sewing or other hobby supplies - put together a model airplane (if I'm neg I get to take it with me, if not, it burns up easy).

What else?

MrChicagoRN, RN · Oct 29, 2014

What else?

Let's start with medical necessity, for one.

SandyB · Oct 29, 2014

MrChicagoRN, I'm asking cuz I'm betting the public panic wins out. It already put one RN in a tent. If they are gonna flip out then I hope we here at AN might contribute to making sure what they do is treat us sanely while they panic insanely.

I'd rather get them thinking of where and how to do this nicely instead of abusing us in tents with no showers.

tyvin, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2014

I predicted the Hickox would get a lawyer stat. Even when they announced she was going into quarantine I was hoping that this nurse wouldn't smell blood but she did. It's embarrassing IMO; and shows all nurses as money grabbing opportunist. I don't think it's a hysteria that's out or public panic as the media has reported to sell the news that others parrot for effect; it's extreme caution. I'm for self quarantine but look at the doc going out to a bowling alley, taxi, and where ever in the world he went, oh yea subway. He was fine, symptom free and than what happened...ah huh.

I do think they went overboard with the tent but they are still learning. I think self monitoring is fine as long as they stay home. Perhaps we could compensate them but there it is again...money. We should all be working together to help keep this out of America, not cry law suit everytime someone doesn't like what happened. She will lose her suit since to make her whole...anyway, that's a whole different thread.

They talk about how hard it is to get it but I want to know how the doc and nurse got it (the first ones who came and got treatment). No one talks about it. Now all these others... Duncan knew he had it, and hopped on a plane not telling anyone to get to America for treatment. You know others will do that.

I thought we were professional nurses willing to help; I have been proved wrong.

Cheyenne RN,BSHS · Oct 29, 2014

I have mixed feelings, not about Ebola, but about how this “suddenly thrust into the public lime-light” nurse is behaving. Kaci states up front she has no intention of following the guidelines for quarantine. Disagree and seek legal counsel, but don’t threaten about “fighting” for your “freedom”. Just what is it she has absolutely got to go do Thursday or else? Enjoy the 3 week vacation, I sure would.

Julie Reyes, DNP, RN · Oct 29, 2014

It's called common sense.

I like and agree with some of what you are saying - it is a deadly virus, and we should use common sense. If I could financially afford being a volunteer, I certainly would go over and jump in the middle of things. As for me, I would quarantine myself when I came back, but I would want to do it in my own home. As a nurse, I am pretty sure I know what symptoms to be on the lookout for...

Cafelattee · Oct 29, 2014

I personally find her a total embarrassment. I do think that there are some civil liberties lost with the idea of public safety. I also can see from the stand point that politician who we vote to protect or emblements stuff for our well being went with what the public (read 24 media folks were telling them) Now this nurse has been out of the country working with these patients, then a long flight, then held for days. I can get as a human being getting frustrated, angry etc. I think that were my problem stands is her total unprofessional attitude and actions. I don't know if she contacted the attorney or the ACLU type attorney found her (cause we know they are about publicity crap) She made the choice to make this a 3 ring circus. This is similar to that CNN dr. who I get never interacted with sick patients but agreed to volunteer quarantine then decided she didn't need it.

I really hate that after the great interview and professionalism the Texas nurses practiced and may I say even favorable news actually getting that we nurse are the "real" lifesavers that this women just harms the overall nursing profession IMO.

They both could of found a more professional way to handle the issue. I know nurses in genral make less and aren't ask direct question from media or anyone eles. The doctors get all the attention yet spend like 5 seconds with patietns. But still we are professionals and should always act with prossionilsim.

amoLucia · Oct 30, 2014

Tell me - is there anyone out here on AN who wants to experience what Kaci had to upon her return home???

They could have given her better accommodations even if they used a sleazy roach-motel. I would venture that prisoners arrested for drug-busts would be treated better.

She was blind-sided when she landed here.

It's one thing to isolate her, but my objection was to how they treated her!!!

And if Gov Christie wants to make some brownie points, how about he works to solve lack of settlement for Hurricane Sandy victims two, yes TWO, years later after the storm.

And has anyone given any thought to all the lab tech personnel who handle the lab specimens? At last light, they were still considered body fluids. And there but for a break in technique they may or may not be exposing the outside to EvD. Do we know? Anybody quarantining them??? No, they just jumped on Kaci.

BlueDevil, DNP · Oct 30, 2014

Rely on the science. Ergo, no quarantine. Self monitoring has been sufficient for 40 years and there is no rationale for failing to trust it now.

BlueDevil, DNP · Oct 30, 2014

I personally find her a total embarrassment. I do think that there are some civil liberties lost with the idea of public safety. I also can see from the stand point that politician who we vote to protect or emblements stuff for our well being went with what the public (read 24 media folks were telling them) Now this nurse has been out of the country working with these patients, then a long flight, then held for days. I can get as a human being getting frustrated, angry etc. I think that were my problem stands is her total unprofessional attitude and actions. I don't know if she contacted the attorney or the ACLU type attorney found her (cause we know they are about publicity crap) She made the choice to make this a 3 ring circus. This is similar to that CNN dr. who I get never interacted with sick patients but agreed to volunteer quarantine then decided she didn't need it.
I really hate that after the great interview and professionalism the Texas nurses practiced and may I say even favorable news actually getting that we nurse are the "real" lifesavers that this women just harms the overall nursing profession IMO.
They both could of found a more professional way to handle the issue. I know nurses in genral make less and aren't ask direct question from media or anyone eles. The doctors get all the attention yet spend like 5 seconds with patietns. But still we are professionals and should always act with prossionilsim.

Really? I couldn't disagree more. Kaci is intelligent, articulate, well educated and projects clear understanding and professionalism. Anyone would be proud to have her on their team. The Texas group came of as uneducated hicks and really made me feel quite ashamed of the Nursing profession.

amoLucia · Oct 30, 2014

What I'm reading lately about Kaci is that she's making some 'noise' that some may find incendiary. I hope for her sake that she maintain the high road. There are some crazy people out there. I would hope that some fruitcake doesn't firebomb or takes target practice at her.

I'm sure there's a 'feeding frenzy' outside her home = papparazzi (sp?) and gen'l public.

The earlier nurses have set good PR examples thatspoke well. I hope it continues.

JMHO

AdamantiteEnigma · Oct 30, 2014

Interesting stuff to be sure. While I don't feel that a mandatory 21 day quarantine is appropriate for health care professionals - I do still feel that a home quarantine is appropriate. Hasn't the case been that those who have developed Ebola from patient contact have developed initial symptoms within a 7 day period? Correct me if I'm mistaken for sure.

Quarantine for HCW can be as simple as outside monitoring and reporting for the first few days, followed by self monitoring for the duration of the 21 day period. Remaining at home during the initial portion of the quarantine doesn't seem unreasonable for me. At least no more unreasonable than other precautions I've been asked to endure in the interest of public safety. I don't find myself in agreement with Kaci's treatment in this case. The slipshod process was botched horribly imo. I can certainly appreciate her argument. And I wish her the best, as it's pretty clear that she's out of the woods so to speak by this time.

A tiered system would serve all parties better imo. Something like 3-7 days (was thinking 5) for home stay with outside verification of symptom free status. Following that, the self reporting model without restrictions on movement and activity.