I wish I was kidding but I'm not. I was just told that clinics, hospitals, doctor offices and so on asking upon entry if anyone has travelled to Africa recently, been near somebody who had travelled to Africa recently is an "invasive" question and a violation of their privacy.
No joke.
They say this is a battle worth fighting and they won't answer.
They actually believe this is more expensive than their suggestion of following those who eventually came over as already tracked by our government. They believe since the government "knows everyone who has traveled to high risk areas" they should be followed and that these questions should stop.
Don't they have better battles to fight? Invasive question! I just shake my head.
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
But t them it is....so your responsibility it to educate them. Tell them you are sorry they feel that way but it is routine. They can discuss it with the MD.
Then let it go....you can't fix everyone. Is it crazy? Yes....but there is nothing you can do.
Oh I'm not about to try and fix them. Thankfully they aren't my patients so I don't even have to go there with them. I feel sorry for their care providers though. If they are willing to battle this...it makes me wonder what else they battle and how difficult they are to deal with.
Asking someone if they traveled to West Africa is no more invasive than asking if they have received the seasonal flu vaccine. We can sterotype any amount of patients, but the questions remain the same and are used to either avoid a health care issue or promote a better healthy lifestyle. Is it discriminatory to ask about vaccines---there are certain groups in our society who are against vaccines for religious purposes--are we judgemental against them? I do not feel asking anyone if they have recently traveled to West Africa a profile type question, it is a valid question to prevent a massive health risk to the population. It is up to the person being asked to answer honestly and if they do not want to answer that is up to them. It is no more discriminatory than asking about pts sexual activities or drug usage or smoking habits. All of which can be seen as invasive questions, all may affect the individual's health, but asking about exposure to Ebola is a general population health issue and should be seen much differently.
I was told it was "invasive" and that it was "discriminating" against people who were "black, had an accent, had a respiratory illness or a GU bug".
Hmm...the other day, I had my bright white self with two of my half-Korean kids at the walk-in clinic's quick check for rash on daughter's face not responding to OTCs, and for a strep swab for my son. The only ebola symptom exhibited by either was son was running a fever. I only have an accent when I travel down south or to the east coast--then the locals tell me I do. Guess what the receptionist asked us??
Sheesh. They ask everyone! I agree that this is not a hill to die on.
Our question is "have you been out of the country in the past month?" Then it breaks into a tree and I forget what the next question is. The reason why it's there was because supposedly the ER doctor missed the Ebola patient had traveled out of the country recently.
The screening question is absolutely appropriate for anyone presenting for care with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or other s/s consistent with EVD. The CDC's recommendations for ambulatory settings are here:
Yes, patients can refuse to answer. All that accomplishes is to put health care professionals in the position of having to judge whether or not to proceed with isolation precautions, because the patient will not answer a simple question that could rule out Ebola from the differential.
We ask if they have traveled out of the country in the past 21 days, haven't had anyone tell me this was an invasion of their privacy, but they do at times take offense when asked about bowel habits haha
I wish I was kidding but I'm not. I was just told that clinics, hospitals, doctor offices and so on asking upon entry if anyone has travelled to Africa recently, been near somebody who had travelled to Africa recently is an "invasive" question and a violation of their privacy.
Who is this "they"?
The passive voice hides the real actors.. "I was told (by whom???)..."
I wish I was kidding but I'm not. I was just told that clinics, hospitals, doctor offices and so on asking upon entry if anyone has travelled to Africa recently, been near somebody who had travelled to Africa recently is an "invasive" question and a violation of their privacy.
I don't think that asking if a patient has travelled recently is an invasion of privacy, but I do agree with KelRN that "Have you travelled to Africa" recently is the wrong question. Africa is a huge continent. If a healthcare worker is asking the question due to concerns about Ebola Virus Disease the question ought to be more precise, West Africa or the countries actually afflicted by the outbreak.
I can just see the scenario unfold..
Nurse: Have you travelled to Africa recently?
Patient: Why yes, I visited family in Pretoria last week.
Nurse: (depending on geographical knowledge) Errr...
Pretoria is roughly the same distance to Monrovia, Liberia as Atlanta, Georgia is to Anchorage, Alaska and I'm sure one wouldn't ask a patient in a hospital in Los Angeles if they'd travelled to Alaska if Atlanta had an outbreak.
So not an invasion of privacy, but rather vague or imprecise in my opinion :)
Edit. In response to OP's post below. Sorry , I only read your OP and the first reply before I myself responded.
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
I don't think that asking if a patient has travelled recently is an invasion of privacy, but I do agree with KelRN that "Have you travelled to Africa" recently is the wrong question. Africa is a huge continent. If a healthcare worker is asking the question due to concerns about Ebola Virus Disease the question ought to be more precise, West Africa or the countries actually afflicted by the outbreak.
I can just see the scenario unfold..
Nurse: Have you travelled to Africa recently?
Patient: Why yes, I visited family in Pretoria last week.
Nurse: (depending on geographical knowledge) Errr...
Pretoria is roughly the same distance to Monrovia, Liberia as Atlanta, Georgia is to Anchorage, Alaska and I'm sure one wouldn't ask a patient in a hospital in Los Angeles if they'd travelled to Alaska if Atlanta had an outbreak.
So not an invasion of privacy, but rather vague or imprecise in my opinion :)
I clarified that I was being general and typical questioning is more specific.
I don't know. I told these 2 people we ask EVERYONE regardless of color, accent or illness. But...these are people who don't work in healthcare and I actually suspect aren't well educated. There is a clear mistrust of the government being shown too. So I think they believe this is a big government thing. I don't get it. It just isn't invasive or discriminatory nor a battle worth fighting.
Is asking people if they use street drugs invasive?
Guess what the receptionist asked us?? 
I agree that this is not a hill to die on.
, I only read your OP and the first reply before I myself responded.
IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP
1,344 Posts
Oh I'm not about to try and fix them. Thankfully they aren't my patients so I don't even have to go there with them. I feel sorry for their care providers though. If they are willing to battle this...it makes me wonder what else they battle and how difficult they are to deal with.