Flu positive pt admitted to LTC facility

[bluegeegoo2, LPN]

I am wondering: Is it against the law to admit a patient that tested positive for influenza type A to a LTC facility? That's what my facility did, and now we have residents showing symptoms left and right. In fact, I am off of work right now with a dx of the flu. (I am on Tamiflu, works wonders). The lady they admitted is also on Tamiflu, but from everything I have read, it doesn't prevent transmission of the virus to others, and she can be contagious for several days after the onset of symptoms. She was only hospitalized for 2 days after the onset of her symptoms before she came to us, which means she was still contagious when she arrived. Staff was told that "we could gown up or wear a mask if we want to" when taking care of her. (?!!). Lord knows some of the staff doesn't wash their hands after caring for each resident, and company policy on absences forces us to work regardless of how sick we are. (Even with a Dr.'s note). Anyway, we had another resident test positive a couple of days ago, and I feel this is just the tip of the iceburg. It really saddens me to know that this facility is so concerned with the allmighty dollar that they would risk the lives of other residents just to fill a bed. I really fear we are going to lose several people to this outbreak. I told my Dr. about it and his response was "it's gonna kill some of them" and shook his head. I don't know what to do. I don't think there is anything I CAN do other than practice (and preach) strict droplet precaution techniques to hopefully prevent it from spreading any further. Wish us luck, I think we're gonna need it.

[momoftwoboys]

I'm not sure if it's against any kind of regulation to admit someone to the facility with the flu or not. Your facility sounds alot like the facility I work for. They will do just about anything to make a dollar. We have a sign on our front doors informing visitors of the flu season and to enter at their own risk and they continue to come. In my opinion I think they should limit visitors from coming at this time of the season. We also have volunteers that come with small children from schools in the community. It's just to risky.