I was under the impression that we as first-semester ADN students would not be "given" a known C. diff or TB patient, something very contagious and serious. Not that we're too good for it but we just don't know anything yet. Now our clinical instructor has indicated that we might indeed be given a C. diff patient. I'm kind of scared because a lady in our class had a child with C. diff and has described it as quite a horrible experience - including that it smelled so bad that the hospital had to clear out the doctors and patients from her child's wing. And that it was constant diarrhea.
I realize C. diff patients are people, too, and need attention in addition to their basic care, but - I'm afraid of what to do as far as spending a lot of time in a room with someone that contagious. I know, I know, wash hands and wear gloves, but it just seems like spending lots of time with someone would up the chances of catching something that contagious and resistant.
What do you guys think? Am I getting too worked up?
Oh yes, soap and water is what I will be using. I'm just surprised that the CDC site, which should be pretty reliable, has such a strange recommendation on there that partially contradicts everything else I've heard or read. Just weird, I'm surprised at them.
Just be glad you know they have c-diff. When I worked in the hospital, I was a floater so I would admit the patient and find out a week or so later-"oh yeah, did you know that pt you admitted had..."
Just be glad you know they have c-diff. When I worked in the hospital, I was a floater so I would admit the patient and find out a week or so later-"oh yeah, did you know that pt you admitted had..."
Yeah, that's definitely another possibility. I guess that could happen anytime, whether student or nurse. I think one of my instructors said something about having taken care of a patient for a while and THEN finding out later that they had TB. Not sure if that was while she was in school or after graduation.
Yeah, that's definitely another possibility. I guess that could happen anytime, whether student or nurse. I think one of my instructors said something about having taken care of a patient for a while and THEN finding out later that they had TB. Not sure if that was while she was in school or after graduation.
I had a c-diff pt recently that I didn't know had c-diff until the next day. Pt was post abdominal surgery, hadn't had a bowel movement since surgery a couple days prior. Started moving her bowels for me, it was runny, which initally was attributed to the IV antibiotics. Nope, surprise, c-diff!!
Unless you are using the steh to auscultate actual poop it's not much of a worry.
C-diff is so far removed from TB, and the precautions and dangers so different, that it is truly apples and oranges. One is standard precautions, the other is negative-pressure rooms with repirators.
Unless you are using the steh to auscultate actual poop it's not much of a worry.
C-diff is so far removed from TB, and the precautions and dangers so different, that it is truly apples and oranges. One is standard precautions, the other is negative-pressure rooms with repirators.
:)
I thought there could be spores around the room, depending on if the patient has not washed thoroughly and then touched things in the room, even just the bed rails, with dirty hands (if ambulatory) or if visitors or health care workers in the room have not been careful enough and have touched various things with contaminated hands. Seems like there could be spores on the patient and then you've touched your steth to the spores and there you go. Potentially.
I thought there could be spores around the room, depending on if the patient has not washed thoroughly and then touched things in the room, even just the bed rails, with dirty hands (if ambulatory) or if visitors or health care workers in the room have not been careful enough and have touched various things with contaminated hands. Seems like there could be spores on the patient and then you've touched your steth to the spores and there you go. Potentially.
Nah, you're over-worrying. Be very careful, wipe the steth's bell with alcohol if you use it - you really don't need to obsess over the Floating Pooh Particle method of transmission.
We have folks with C-diff all the time. In LTC they don't even get isolation. Just standard precautions ALL THE TIME, no exceptions for ANYONE, and it doesn't get passed on.
In my first clinical rotation, without any warning whatsoever, i was given a C.diff patient. I was also given patients with MRSA too. They had told us about standard precautions but had never mentioned we would be thrown right on a floor with patients that had this. My very first day I had a patient who didn't have anything or so we thought and I had taken care of him all day until right before i left, his labs came back and he had MRSA. It was in his nares so luckily I think I'm okay. The C.diff patient I had was not even my patient but she needed to be fed so my instructor sent me to do it. I was not very happy about that at all considering I have OCD & I freak out over germs, etc...but I put on my gown, gloves, etc....and went and fed her. Then later on, I had to help move her to the toilet with one other girl. It just was not the best experience let me tell you but you get through it and wash your hands very well and then your done.
What I didn't like is our instructors told us nothing about C.diff prior to going there. I think that isn't right at all. I think we should be informed A LOT better than we were.
But don't worry, it's not as bad as you think. You do your job and as long as you wash your hands and wear the gown and gloves you will be fine. I didn't even wear a mask, my patient didn't have an odor at all. So I think it really depends on the patient.
Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care, Public Health.
While student nurses dont have the same scope of practice or responsibilities, id recommend doing what you can to think like a nurse - therefore you ARE a "real" health care worker. The student part is important, because it means seeking out as many learning opportunities as possible, but the nurse is the operative word...thats what you're learning to do. It doesnt help you to think you are "justa" nursing student. Besides, between am care, work sheets, and whatever else interesting you can see, theres not much time for playing cards. The facility will provide the protective supplies, and itll be an excellent crash course on infection control.
Dont let them rush you, and stop, think and gather all the supplies you think you might need, theres no bigger bummer than being all suited up and realizing there arent any more washcloths in the room or something. The anticipation is the worst, once you're doing the actual work, you'll have other things to occupy your mind with. It'll be fine! :)
You are freaking out over nothing really. On any given shift, there will be at least 4-5 isolation patients on my floor (c-diff, MRSA, VRE). As long as you use the proper precautions, you will be fine. And like others have stated, sometimes you don't even know someone has c-diff right away. Patients aren't automatically tested for all that stuff upon admission. Patient we get from nursing homes are automatically placed on strict iso (gown and gloves) and swabbed for MRSA but that's about it. For all our isolation patients, there is a stethoscope that is left in the patients room that everyone who cares for the patient uses. Just wipe it down before and after you use it. Try to relax, clinicals aren't as bad as you think. I freaked out too, but looking back it was nothing compared to actually working as a RN on the floor.
You really are over analyzing (this makes sense, in the beginning you don't have a context for how much you need to be concerned about stuff, so over analyze everything....I understand, I was there too) and because of it worrying far to much about this.
Follow your precautions. Outside the room they'll likely have disposable gowns and other PPE that you'll need and wash your hands when you leave.
If you really want to bring your steth in, then make sure you wash it after. But, it's usually just easier to use the steth that's in the room.
As far as what to do when you're in the room....do exactly what you would do if the patient didn't have C-diff. One thing that often happens with patients on precautions is that they get pretty isolated, since caregivers tend to try to do everything they need to in one trip, as fast as possible (the gowns tend to be really hot and uncomfortable). So, having you visit with the patient could really be a good thing for the patient.
You'll be gowned and gloved, and you're going to throughly wash your hands after....don't worry so much, you'll be fine.
remember when you are using the BR sink to wash your hands, to use a CLEAN and DRY paper towel to shut off the faucets, then use another clean dry paper towel to touch the door knob.
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Kringe38
188 Posts
Oh yes, soap and water is what I will be using. I'm just surprised that the CDC site, which should be pretty reliable, has such a strange recommendation on there that partially contradicts everything else I've heard or read. Just weird, I'm surprised at them.