Hi all...I have a question...well, a few. I'm on a psych unit. We had a patient come in who had been exposed to TB. Her boyfriend has a confirmed active case, and he did take the 9 month medicine but only for two months. My patient hacks from time to time and brings up gunk but nothing bloody. My questions:Shouldn't our patient have been put on isolation precautions in a negative pressure room? And since we do not have a neg pressure room on psych, what to do? Secondly, are all of us on the floor now at risk for TB? I have a little babyand I don't want to bring this home to her.
Meerkat 432 Posts Mar 6, 2006 Patient needs a TB skin test as first step, at least.That was ordered...but that's a 48 and 72 hour read...what in the meantime? That's 2-3 days with her on the floor.
bargainhound, RN 536 Posts Mar 6, 2006 Contact your infection control person.Monitor patient and self for temp.Send sputum for Tb/culture.It would seem to be a good idea to have the patient wear mask....or havestaff wear masks....depending on situation....that is, patient in room or upand about the unit.I know in situations I have been in before, it required approval before placingpatient in isolation.....I know this is frustrating.
