I need advice about undiagnosed rashes at work

[1WingeDove]

Hi everyone.. I am so glad I found this site.

I hope someone can help me.

I just started a new job. During training it was brought up that "a few" of the patients and staff had a "little" rash. When asked for more information, the only info provided was that no on could find out what it was and it wasn't really a big deal.

As I started working more, I realized that most of the patients had this rash. The ones with the worst case have it covering almost their entire bodies especially their extremities, backs, and chests. Many of them have scabs, blisters, and some just a lot of little pink, bumps. A hand full of these residents have even been treated for cellulitis (not sure if it is relevant). This rash is extremely itchy and apparently highly contagious. I recently discovered that the staff is beginning to complain of rashes and bug bites "again". This was treated by turning down the heat..

I am very concerned, needless to say. This situation has been going on long before I started because a patient told me "It's not so bad in the Winter, but in the Summer its very embarrassing". I am frequently treating wounds because they are scratching off these scabs. It is so sad to see these people suffering like this.

Every time I ask about these rashes, people brush it off and change the subject. I just don't know what else to do without stirring anything up and being a new employee, that won't go over well.

Has anyone seen cases like this? Can you give me any advice?

[suzy253, RN]

First thing that came to my mind was scabies....but I have no idea really!

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Title is fixed. ?

I have a couple questions:

1) Is this a hospital, a residential treatment facility, LTC, or something else?

2) Do you have infection control nurses there? If so, they need to be aware of this ASAP.

3) Do you have occupational health nurses? They need to know too, as does OSHA.

If this does not get you anywhere or these are not options for you, a call to the county Health Department might help. This does not sound like a safe situation for patients or staff. In fact, it's pretty darn gross.

I understand your trepidation at not wanting to make too many waves, but these are waves worth making.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Elvish said:

This does not sound like a safe situation for patients or staff. In fact, it's pretty darn gross.

I understand your trepidation at not wanting to make too many waves, but these are waves worth making.

☝️?

[1WingeDove]

Elvish said:

Title is fixed. ?

I have a couple questions:

1) Is this a hospital, a residential treatment facility, LTC, or something else?

2) Do you have infection control nurses there? If so, they need to be aware of this ASAP.

3) Do you have occupational health nurses? They need to know too, as does OSHA.

If this does not get you anywhere or these are not options for you, a call to the county Health Department might help. This does not sound like a safe situation for patients or staff. In fact, it's pretty darn gross.

I understand your trepidation at not wanting to make too many waves, but these are waves worth making.

1. It is a LTC

2. No infection control nurse

3. No occupational health nurse that I am aware of

There is the DON and ADON

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I would be right on the phone with the county health dept, then. This is a public health issue.

[1WingeDove]

Elvish said:

I would be right on the phone with the county health dept, then. This is a public health issue.

Is it possible to do that anonymously?

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

You should be able to. Just tell them you were there and saw xyz but that you would like to remain anonymous.

[lamazeteacher]

There are Infection Control regulations that affect LTC facilities, which are not being followed. You could go to your doctor, (ASAP) to have a culture done on the exudate under a blister. Then, if you're concerned about retaininbg your job, your doctor should report the results and information regarding the facility, keeping patient (you) confidentiality.

When you get a chance, review the procedure book regarding Infection Control policy at your facility, and notice the date of the last review. It should be no longer than 2 years old. You may well save lives and improve conditions where you work, by your courage.

Doctors still wield more weight than others when reporting such issues.

[kacefaceRN]

Here's a description of scabies from the CDC website:

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/scabies/

You can also do a search for scabies images to see if the rash looks like your patients' rashes. Good luck!

[skinnurse66, LPN]

First thing I would do would be get a culture to see if this could be a staph infection or ect so you may get some idea of what you are dealing with.

[ID NURSING]

WOW!

1-I can't believe this has been an on-going thing in this office.

2-has anyone seen one of the physicians in the office?

3-has anyone cultured any of these "rashes"?

4-What has been the treatment for these rashes?

5-This obviously is not a "clean" place to say the least, you have the right to report this to Health Department anonymously. You can call the CDC in your state. This is a very unhealthy environment you work in. Yes, this could be scabies (which was mentioned earlier, but could something more serious as MRSA, in which I deal with everyday. Please consider doing something about this & Please keep me posted.... ?