ED Volunteer

[Jason2311]

Hi everyone,

I have a question about an issue thats running through my mind as a volunteer at the ED. So the volunteer dress policy is a polo shirt and dress slacks,and comfy shoes,but the weekends I have spent volunteering, I've had a good amount of pt contact( helping nurses move pt's)and cleaning pt rooms and changing linens. Now what bothers me is that I dont feel comfortable(sanitary) wise. I would at least like to wear scrub bottoms since I would hate to bring home some of the stuff that I have come into contact with. Now would it be right to bring this up with the volunteer director or should I just deal with it as is? I'm a real proactive volunteer,alot of the staff have taken a great amount of appreciation for my efforts. I dont like to stand around like some mindless bum, I want to help out however I can. So what do you suggest I do? I dont want to look like some nurse wannabe in front of the staff, I just want to look out for my safety.

[Absolutely13]

Hey Jason,

I was an ED volunteer at a local medical center and that facility had a strict policy that volunteers were to never physically touch patients under any circumstances. As far as disinfecting surfaces and dealing with linens, gloves and proper handwashing is the only defense.

I understand your desire to help as much as possible, but your own safety is in jeopardy without hep A & B vaccinations and infection control training. I would rethink your involvement in moving patients - I'm just watching out for another volunteer.

I'm a CNA now and applying to nursing school in August. Love this site!

[AirforceRN, RN]

I have to agree with the above. I also volunteered in the emerg for a while and was limited to very minute amounts of patient contact. I was told this was due to the fact that if I hurt a patient (ie dropping them while assisting a move) then who was liable? I was not protected and the hospital knows that volunteers aren't trained in that capacity. Please be careful but feel free to ask the NM about it or look up the hospital protocol

[Jabramac]

Our ER volunteers are not allowed to participate in any activity that might expose them. Not even changing linens. They can put clean linens on a clean bed, but can't take dirty linens off or clean the matress.

That said, I'm not sure the type of pants effects infection control at all.

[masstudent]

I volunteered several years ago in a teaching hospital where they had me changing gurneys that might have blood or anything else, pushing gurneys. Most hospitals I know of require now that the volunteers have Hep B shots. Even one of the hospitals I am looking at volunteering at now says volunteers can transport patients.

What you have to watch out for is your own safety. I was asked to push a gurney with someone weighing 300 lbs and at that time I only weighed 100 (I wish that was still true). Also I am only 4'11" and I'll never forget someone saying to me how can you push that gurney with the pateint sitting up and still see? I haven't as a nursing student had to push a gurney yet but I am sure at some point I will.

A lot of hospitals today don't even supply their own staff with scrubs so just wearing your own scrub pants won't affect infection. My suggestion, have a dedicated set of pants and shoes that you clean with your polo shirt seperately from your other clothing. Also do you really have to wear dress pants or do khakis cut it? I would hate to have to wear expensive pants. I would try getting some pants from TJ Max or Kohls on sale (Kohl's is always having sales) that you can get for about $15.

Where I am now it is very hard to volunteer. It seems everyone wants to volunteer. I had a volunteer meeting scheduled back in December that due to a snowstorm was cancelled. I finally get to go to the intro meeting at the beginning of April. I want to volunteer not only for the experience but also to interact with people outside of school and feel like I am giving back to my community.

[suburbanmom69]

Hi Jason. I recently stopped volunteering in one of our local ED's because I start nursing school on Monday (yeah!). Anyhow, we were allowed to do many things for the patients, and I have gotten "stuff" on me many times. Thankfully, all volunteers in that ED had to wear scrubs. They could be any color or style. In fact, when I showed up for my volunteer orientation in street clothes, I was promptly given scrubs to change into. The volunteer program I was in was specifically for people interested in getting into the health care field. I loved volunteering!

[casi, ASN, RN]

No matter where you work as a nurse/volunteer in a hospital you'll be bringing home what you have contact with at work. Very few places provide their employees with scrubs, and those that do only do so in specific units.

If you are worried about infection control designate one pair of shoes/pants/polo shirt to your uniform and change before you leave the hospital or change right away when you get home. When I have a bad night at work the first thing I do when I get in the door is strip and bleach my shoes.

I also don't like the idea of volunteers wearing scrubs as it confuses patients in a stressful situation who associate scrubs with someone who provides direct patient care.

When it comes to patient contact don't do anything that the people who head up the volunteer program haven't told you and trained you to do. Things can go wrong even with transfering a patient. If you strain your back while transfering a patient who is responsible for it? If you hurt a patient while transfering them who is responsible?

[southernbelle319]

Our volunteers here are not allowed to have any physical pt contact. They are mainly here as escorts/reception/info desk. Can't even help a pt up out of a wheelchair into the car or anything. If you don't feel comfortable dealing with pts and getting 'messy', I would let someone know. I hate to use the phrase "That's not my job" but that would work in your case. You have to look out for the safety of not only yourself but the safety of the pt as well.

Oh, and thanks for all your hard work as a volunteer! :)