Ebola - do you have the right to walk away?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 13, 2014

remember, several patients have been cared for in the US to date in various hospitals and only one report of infected healthcare worker. Go to CDC website to get up to date information on proper PPE donning and doffing. www.cdc.gov

SionainnRN · Oct 13, 2014

I work in the ER so I wouldn't even know for sure till after the fact. But that's life of an ER nurse, can't tell you how many times we find out days later about what our pts have: TB, meningitis, etc. I would never refuse to treat a pt based on what they might have or what they do have. That's part of being a nurse.

chopwood carrywater · Oct 13, 2014

Review classes will be needed for many of us who do not wear or use Ppe very often . Practice with others and make sure that there is plenty of the appropriate, up to date gear.

This is the type of class were I want an instructor who totally knows their stuff and will sweat the small stuff; all of the small stuff. I agree that I would want separate sleeping quarters from my family and friends until I was done caring for the pts and past my possible period of risk.

Caffeine_IV · Oct 13, 2014

I don't know what I would do honesty. I would want the proper protection not a mere flimsy trashbag blue contact gown and mask.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Oct 13, 2014

Give me the same Hazmat suit that the CDC workers wear and proper training then yes, I would take the patient.

Otherwise, no freakin' way.

mrsboots87 · Oct 14, 2014

I am just a student, and I am unsure what choice I would make. My instructors have assured us multiple times that the risk of transmission is small if we are using proper PPE and practicing infection control procedures strictly. And with knowing the little we do know about the virus, logically I understand that I should have no problem with caring for the positive patient. My hesitance comes from having two young children at home and fear of bringing it home to them. On one hand, I wouldn't be upset if some nurses and doctors refused assignment of me or another ebola infected family member because I understand the risk, and would hope that someone is willing to do the job. But on the other hand, if everyone declined, then who would care for these patients? Its not really fair for me to refuse assignment and let someone else who may or may not have kids or other beloved family members, take the risk themselves. Kudos to those who would for sure take the assignment, and I can only hope that once licensed that I am brave enough to do so as well.

ak2190 · Oct 14, 2014

Ultimately, I would do it. However, I'd want a HAZMAT suit , a buddy system, and a chemical shower before removing it.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Oct 14, 2014

I would take care of the pt, I would be nervous as hell but I would do my job. Heck, I took care of an AIDS resident back when HIV was new and terrifying. For all we knew we back then it was contagious just being in the room. As long as precautions are in place, and good PPE is available I'd be OK. Heck, in early HIV days the PPE was a joke, but we trusted it anyway.

elkpark · Oct 14, 2014

I would take care of my own loved ones. I would understand them not wanting to put their lives and safety at risk. I wouldn't ask them to do that.

I don't know about you, but I have family members in various parts of the country. Caring for them myself would not be a realistic option. Are you talking about keeping your loved ones at home and caring for them yourself? That would be, basically, a death sentence for them. Are you expecting them to be able to be admitted to the hospital where you work? Are you saying you would you care for them yourself there in the hopsital, but you would understand if no physicians at your hospital were willing to get involved? If that were the case, what kind of treatment would they be getting? "I would take care of my own loved ones" must seem like a satisfying answer when the original question is posed, but how realistic an answer is that?

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Oct 14, 2014

If my hospital sent me in to care for an Ebola patient with our current isolation gear, H to the No! Let the CDC come to the bedside and bring their gear and isolation education and I will have no problem taking care of an Ebola patient.

I have been around long enough to see how people act when it's not their butt on the line. If I get sent in there with the same level of protection AND BACKUP (someone double checking my connections) that the director of the CDC would get - you bet your bippy I would care for an Ebola case.

Raviepoo · Oct 14, 2014

I'll be graduating from an RN program in December of this year. My goal for my first RN job was med-surg or maybe ICU. Now I'm trying to figure out how to parlay my time as an LPN and my previous work experience into a job as far from the front lines as possible. I'm no hero.

ShelbyaStar · Oct 14, 2014

Yes, I would. Can't find it now but I saw a list showing that the average ebola patient passes it on to two other people, the same or less infectious than many diseases. TB infects 10. I'm trying to find that information about meningitis which has a comparable fatality rate but not having any luck. It's scary, no doubt, and I agree it would be great if hospitals took bigger precautions and they will if they have any wits at all.