HIV in LTC

CapeCodMermaid, RN · May 17, 2005

1. Universal precautions....treat everyone as if they had some dread disease.

2. HIPAA...doesn't mean you can't tell caregivers....they have the need to know the diagnosis.

FNimuaeMae · May 17, 2005

What happens when you have a pregnant CNA that gets exposed to this HIV+ resident who might also have CMV? I would be very PISSED, pardon my french, to find such a thing out. I think the CNA's need to know. When I worked LTC, the CNA's were allowed to read the charts if they had the time. Perhaps this chart needs to be pointed out to be read AS SOON AS this resident comes on the floor. I think that your DON is looking at other kinds of liability issues besides HIPPA with this one.

Missy :stone

Schmoo1022 · May 17, 2005

I was always told that you treat everyone the same way, universal prequations. I am sorry, but if I was pregnant I would be extra careful with EVERYONE. I also work in long term care and we had several patients that were Hep B positve, but noone knew until after they were transferred to another facility. I WAS pregant while caring for them, but I always wear the proper equipment, so I wasn't really worried. I don't take any chances, and I stress it to all the staff over and over. Never assume that someone has no infection. I don't mean to sound so stern or anything, but we have to protect ourselves and HIV+ patients don't have to disclose the fact they are.

leslie :-D · May 18, 2005

1. Universal precautions....treat everyone as if they had some dread disease.
2. HIPAA...doesn't mean you can't tell caregivers....they have the need to know the diagnosis.

thank you.....'need to know' is not in violation of hippa regulations.

but i do agree, an inservice from the staff developer is due, even as a refresher course with a gen'l statement of "you never know who will have hepatitis, hiv....". but reinforcement of following universal precautions would definitely be warranted.

leslie

Sue7573 · May 18, 2005

I am split on this one. YES I would want to know if I was caring for an HIV+ patient but I feel the patient rights come into play. I always wear gloves and any other protective equipment. When we get a resident with any thing contagious we don't know per say what it is but we know if it is droplet or air bourne precautions. and use all precautions, gown, masks and splash gaurds. I have been told that yes before we have had at least one HIV + resident and several hepititus patients. Any way I remain split on the issue. and I didn't know that CNA's could be looking in the charts ever.

Chad_KY_SRNA · May 18, 2005

On slow nights when we have read the newspapers at the desk we will read resident charts. Some of them have colorful lives. I have never had a nurse try to stop me, they have encouraged us to do something more productive but they don't make us quit. I have worked with CNA's who say "we aren't allowed to do that are we?" and the nurses actually said that it wasn't a bad idea to learn more about our residents. Social Service notes are generally where the life stories, loves, losses and tragedies are located. Care plans, recent H&P's are also insightful as well.

Soleilpie · May 18, 2005

I can see how in a perfect world all health care providers would treat everyone as if they have some deadly disease, but it's never going to happen. Someone will be less careful. I understand the patient's rights but it seems that patients' rights have become much more important than the "rights" of care givers. To me a person's life is much more valuable than a person's right to privacy. Maybe I'm wrong here but it just seems asinine to put the rights of the patient over the life of a cna.