Exposed to Covid and no isolation?

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Specializes in Dialysis, Diabetes Education.

So we just had our first patient dx with covid 19. We were informed last night by our CM and told to just monitor for symptoms. We have been diligent in use of PPE and requiring all the patients to be masked so per our CM, our risk of infection is very low. I asked if we should be isolating at all and was told no, just to monitor. So my question: I have 4 teens all in sports that are ramping up, in fact, I was at the ballfield last night when I got the call. I'm also a pastor's wife and we are socially distancing and wearing masks at church, but still around the congregation. And my parent's 50th anniversary party is in a week. We delayed the party until things calmed down, and now I'm thinking it would be best to delay again. We are just having kids and grandkids, but my parents are 76 and dad has diabetes and cardiac issues as well as some COPD. My sister in law is an RN in behavioral health and she doesn't think it's necessary that we delay since she "works around pts who don't wear masks". I'm torn since the company doesn't seem to think it's necessary to islolate, but I would hate myself if I was asymptomatic and gave it to my dad or someone else. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

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Specializes in Dialysis.

I'm going to play devils advocate as a CM. What if one of your teens picked it up from another teen at sports practice and all are asymptomatic? Then they visit grandma? Are you going to keep your kids out of sports, etc? With the best prevention, it is not 100% preventable.

That said, I am a CM for Fresenius, our policy is masks at all times in clinic, this is company-wide. We also have COVID-19 specific clinics set up to care for these individuals.

I see both sides of this, as cloth and surgical masks prevent 0. Surgical masks even have that disclaimer on their box now. Just continue taking your best precautions with hand washing

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Specializes in Dialysis, Diabetes Education.

Yes, I agree, nothing is 100%. And yes, my kids could be asymptomatic as well. Generally, though, our county's rates have been very, very low and the teams are outdoors and practicing distancing, so I feel some sense of security in that aspect. Our clinic has been very diligent with wearing all PPE, keeping visitors out, disinfecting, etc. And we have sent our positive pt to our area's isolation clinic. So we're all covered there. I guess I was just surprised that it wasn't suggested we isolate or limit unnecessary contact since we were around a confirmed positive pt. Thanks for your feedback!

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Specializes in Dialysis.
35 minutes ago, Duncan6 said:

I guess I was just surprised that it wasn't suggested we isolate or limit unnecessary contact since we were around a confirmed positive pt. Thanks for your feedback!

Why isn't the patient being sent to a COVID clinic? Curious...

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Specializes in Dialysis, Diabetes Education.

Sorry, let me clarify- the pt ( a nursing home resident) is being sent to our covid clinic as well as her roommate who is also a pt of ours. We have a few other pts from that nursing home, and they are still at our facility- they have tested negative at this time and are reported not to have been in any close contact with the positive pt.

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