Secretary with chronic cough

[Tweety]

Our secretary has had a chronic cough for months. I've talked to her about it and she's said she's been to the doctor but doesn't know what it is.

She can't complete a sentence without coughing. I told her I'm going to start to wear a mask and bring a can of Lysol spray. But seriously, would it be appropriate to mention it to the manager or employee health.

She's moridly obese and has chf, so it might be something related to that. Her health and weight are none of my business and she's a doll to work with, but I cringe when she answers the phone and hands it to me because she's coughed all over it.

Should I trust she's o.k. and leave her alone?

[nurseunderwater]

Maybe if I wore a mask, sprayed Lysol all around, and used wipes, she'd go to a doctor. Just kidding.

Woot! :chuckle

[lisaloulou]

erase the word "underhanded" and insert.......ummmmmmm well I dunno but what i meant was going directly to the person instead of around her and it sounds like you already have. Hopefully she has her own phone :rotfl: No flame intended.

I used to work with a guy who had shall we say a different standard of hygeine from my own. It was driving me nuts personally, and I kept hearing everyone else comment about it. I was determined to take the bull by the tail and face the problem (hehehehe) so I just asked him about it point blank. Turned out he was living in a travel trailer parked on land with no well. After that, he at least sponged daily. I did it as a friend-sort of like hey you have spinach on your teeth. It was either talk to him or let everyone call him "stinky" sheesh.....makes ya wonder what he was thinkin.

[Jailhouse RN]

Folks you are all missing the point. The person has been talked to by the concerned party. The time for that has passed. This should have gone to supervision and employee health within the first 7 days. Employee health can allow her to be seen at the facility at no charge. There the can ask all the right questions regarding TB testing and Hx or a possible cardiopulmonary problem. This person does not have the right to spew germs all over the nurse's station. It is our job to prevent disease. So the answer to this dillema is to report it for yourself, your patients and the poor unfortunate who has this nasty cough. Best of luck