Hep C Diagnosis --- Now What???!!!

[CNA_MISSY]

Last week, I was offered my dream job. I accepted and went through the whole process of having the physical done, including the TB test. I went back today and had the test read. When the nurse left the room, she left my chart open and obviously, I took a peek. I almost screamed when I saw that the lab results said I was Hep C positive. I have never used drugs so the only way I could have gotten it is back in 1979 when I had a blood transfusion after I started bleeding profusely during an emergency c-section situation with my first child.

When the nurse came back, I obviously had to act all cool and stuff when I was not but I managed to pull myself together. I asked her when I would get my clearance to attend orientation on Monday and she said, we don't have all of your labs back yet but someone will call you with the results.

OMG....I am so freaked because I am scared that I will not be able to work at this hospital in this position which I have dreamed about for the past year. I am also a nursing student and two more classes, will apply for my clinicals.

First, is it common for a hospital to turn away Hep C positive employees?

Second, do I need to seek a profession in something else as I will not be allowed to work in nursing because of this diagnosis.

Neither of the two hospitals I worked in previously tested me and I have never had a reason to be tested so this is all coming to light now. I don't know if this is making sense as I am a nervous wreck.

Thanks.

Missy:banghead:

[core0]

I undertand your rationality but workmens comp only covers treatment. What do you do with the rest of your life? Stop being a PA RN or MD ? You gave your life to help others, so now because of standardized testing no one wants to hire you. Sounds bad but it happens still. Nobody wants the POZ ER nurse... might be a pt risk or cost too much to insure them. I have seen people eased out of their positions after having to be treated at their on hospitals.

Discrimination is still illegal. In these days of nursing shortage it would be pretty easy to prove. The issue with workmans comp is that it protects you if you become disabled and provides a backstop to pay for treatment. If you think about it, when you get a needle stick the first thing they do is check you for HCV, HBV and HIV. It protects both sides (or neither). To document that you don't have a viral illness before the needle stick and to document if you do.

I acknowledge that discrimination still exists and counsel my patients to think carefully before they disclose to thier employer if they are undergoing treatment. I am also happy to write whatever note is needed if they choose not to disclose. However, I still think that while there is some benefit to the company the benefit of testing to the employee is greater.

David Carpenter, PA-C

[CNA_MISSY]

Discrimination is still illegal. In these days of nursing shortage it would be pretty easy to prove. The issue with workmans comp is that it protects you if you become disabled and provides a backstop to pay for treatment. If you think about it, when you get a needle stick the first thing they do is check you for HCV, HBV and HIV. It protects both sides (or neither). To document that you don't have a viral illness before the needle stick and to document if you do.

I acknowledge that discrimination still exists and counsel my patients to think carefully before they disclose to thier employer if they are undergoing treatment. I am also happy to write whatever note is needed if they choose not to disclose. However, I still think that while there is some benefit to the company the benefit of testing to the employee is greater.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Yes, I did authorize the testing for Hep A, B, C, and two others that escape me now. I did not have anything to hide so it was no big deal. It was not like I had a choice or anything as it was a requirement for the pre-employment physical. No testing was done for HIV which surprised me...as it is just as easily transmittable, if not easier, than HCV.

Upon being notified there was a problem, I have NEVER felt that the additional testing was being done to protect my best interests. While, I was confident the employer would keep me apprised of the end result, I felt they were cagey with the information being disclosed to me, and have pushed the issue forward to my PCP. If this was done because they did not know the answers to my questions or they simply did not want to be accused of being misquoted later, I do not know.

At any rate, I previously stated, I have grown weary of this process and while I want to tell them to shove off, I am in too deep to the process and plus, I want the job. I understand they need to protect themselves and I respect that, but it just seems that it is taking so long to finish the process.

On a separate note, I agree that the ANP did not seem to be all that informative about the test results and continuously referred me to the flow sheet she provided pulled from the CDC website. She did say it was probable that I may have cleared the virus from my body based on my medical history, but she wanted me to see my PCP to get information regarding f/u testing and treatment, if necessary.

We are now waiting on HR to advise Emp Health on my job responsibilities. They are trying to determine if I have EPIP limitations. Thus, I have to consult with my PCP to see if there are limitations in relation to EPIP. Anyone familiar with that. If there are issues there, they say I have to go to board committee approval which is where I will seriously consider dropping out of this process and starting at another facility that made me an offer...they did not do testing....so they were not concerned above and beyond universal precautions. Therefore, why should I disclose it...if they wanted to know definitively, they would have tested.

Last, I do appreciate all of the information provided on this site. It has been very comforting knowing that I can get direct and unbiased information from outstanding health care workers who have no vested interest in this matter and will tell it like it is!!

(((Thanks)))

[CNA_MISSY]

I know right. Like there is no such thing as universal precautions. Wish somebody would tell this emp health dept that. Anywho, I tested positive for the HCV antibody and confirmatory RIBA. I'm not a quitter and while I may vent, I will hang on long as I can. I want to do ER tech and eventually ER nursing when I get done with school in late 2010 but I need to have a job. That med/surg job I got offered at another facility is looking pretty tempting. Thanks.

[CNA_MISSY]

FIRST, thank you for all of the support I got during this stressful time. I am glad I found this website. It has been great to come here to post and get different opinions and thoughts.

SECOND, I got cleared by employee health and I start on the 28th. Hallelujah, thank you LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What seemed so important yesterday did not matter today....Yes!!!!!!

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

First of all, why would they draw a lab for Hep C? I can't see a point to that. Seems more likely that they would draw a Hep B titer to ensure immunity. I think you should call the employee health department that drew it and ask them.

They tested me for hep C and HIV last week for my new job.. ??