I need an ER nurse to answer this question for me (pt with HIV related)

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 30, 2015

I hope that's all the look was. I still have a fair number of co-workers who are less than matter of fact when a patient's history includes HIV+. I do think there is still a considerable amount of judgement toward these patients but it may just be where I live.
To the OP: as others have said and as you now obviously realize is the right thing to do, please report your HIV+ status. I know it must be hard when you know there are people out there who are incredibly bigoted. If others treat you differently b/c of it, that is on them and their ignorant selves. Not you.
I am sorry for the way you've been treated in the past, whether real or perceived.
((Hugs))
(Edited to fix typos and add a thought)

In the second scenario it seems more like we need the truth so we can safely help you. The first experience may have been bias exacerbated by the patient's anxiety of seeking healthcare apprehensive that they may be a victim of bias.

Sometimes I forget. I've worked so hard to help my son accept others for who they are, I forget when I step out of our bubble that the rest of society isn't like minded.

To the OP I hope you encounter more people like my son and less than you did in your first ED visit. I think now you understand the importance of full disclosure so you can receive the best and safest care for your current ailment. Good luck

ktwlpn, LPN · Oct 31, 2015

No, what's best is to meet people where they're at, not to try and make them come to where you're at. The former is patient-centered, the latter is self-centered. You're right that it was wrong for staff to make OP feel bad, but it's also wrong to assume you know what's best for the OP. You seem to have good intentions, but that's not enough. What's right for you may not be what's right for them, and telling them their behavior is wrong implies a patronizing relationship in which you're the arbiter of what is and isn't good enough. That's not your role in anyone's life but your children, and OP is not a child. Even in the event that a person does need to change their behavior, browbeating them is the absolute worst way to encourage them to go about it. And it's rude.
P.S. OP appears to be male.

...This person came here to ASK FOR ADVICE,I gave it respectfully.No "browbeating" about it.Let's get back on track here,please.Peace out.....

Racer15, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2015

Long story short, yes. All I have to do in my ER is click on clinical data and all information from previous visits is pulled over. You are only hurting yourself by lying about medical history.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Oct 31, 2015

Yes, you should have disclosed, however, I agree that if the practitioner knew your status, why the "are you sure there's not something you don't want to tell me" stuff came into play. A "I understand you are HIV+" would at least suggest that the practitioner was being direct and read your medical record.

And as a nurse you do know that some medications interfere with HIV meds, and some meds will not be effective for HIV related symptoms--or sometimes a stronger more direct treatment needs to occur so that things don't get out of control.

There are lots of nurses who have HIV, who have other chronic conditions. Which is a protected class. And yes, it is really none of their business in a personal sense, but this is not personal. You want effective treatment that is going to work for you, OP.

Thank you for opening my eyes to the fact that this kind of bias still exists. And to be mindful of it. I am of the 80's full PPE generation, and it was a frustrating educational process then, and apparently is still somewhat the same.

I would report this, even if it is to your parent company through their website and protect yourself--especially if you are being treated differently than your co-workers (ie: if you are asking for assistance with a patient, and you are not getting it that type of thing)

Best wishes!

MaudKennedy · Oct 31, 2015

I didn't think bias towards people HIV+ still existed,best wishes to you.

OnlinePersona, LPN · Oct 31, 2015

Of course the medical record is retained and anyone treating you MUST know your complete history.The first mistake you made was not dealing with "the weird look" you feel you received.Having had HIV for years you should be comfortable with your diagnosis and well able to deal with any prejudice you face.YOU have to take care of yourself,you can't avoid going to appointments.An appropriate reply would be"Oh,do you have a problem with that?" And then report it to management immediately.You should report it now....and straighten out your medical history while there and also call your insurance company.You may have caused yourself some issues there....
Have you gone to counseling? Joined a support group?
Please take care of yourself.You have nothing alto be ashamed of.Confront this and take every opportunity to educate these ignoramuses

I get what your saying....I even reread it like three times trying to get your tone. HOWEVER, who gives you the right/authority to tell someone they should be comfortable with their diagnosis by now?

With all that said, you did close it up with something nice lol

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2015

I'm new to this site, I hope I post this in the correct place.

Welcome to Allnurses.com! We have moved your thread to the Emergency Nursing forum so it will be seen by more of our dedicated emergency room nurses. Good luck to you.

AZQuik · Oct 31, 2015

I didn't think bias towards people HIV+ still existed,best wishes to you.

Oh yes. Even well educated people that know about the virus still get cross eyed.

BSN GCU 2014.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

brownbook · Oct 31, 2015

This is an interesting discussion but I just can't get over it all being based on a look. It is quite possible the "look" is the same look a patient might get when they say they have cystic fibrosis, or have lung cancer and are on chemotherapy, simply a "look" of....."gosh I'm sorry about your illness.....that sucks......you look really healthy...it must be rough."

I'm not implying a nurse would or should say those things out loud, it just might be what went through their mind.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2015

I didn't think bias towards people HIV+ still existed,best wishes to you.

Well, think again. It's still rampant and I am truly embarrassed to say it's healthcare workers. I get patients brought to me from the OR and while I am connecting monitor leads and placing a pulse oximetry sensor on the patient's finger, the OR nurse will frantically caution me that the patient is HIV+. Really??

In what way will I be exposed by connecting a patient to monitoring equipment? If they have a proper dressing in place and aren't gushing blood all over the stretcher (in which case they shouldn't be coming to PACU anyway) you can mention their HIV status when you give me your normal post op report.

OP, I get it that you don't want to be judged by an ignorant healthcare worker but they are out there and you don't always get the professional care you deserve. If you don't have to go to an emergency room, try to see your regular provider who is familiar with your situation.

ktwlpn, LPN · Oct 31, 2015

Well, think again. It's still rampant and I am truly embarrassed to say it's healthcare workers. I get patients brought to me from the OR and while I am connecting monitor leads and placing a pulse oximetry sensor on the patient's finger, the OR nurse will frantically caution me that the patient is HIV+. Really??
In what way will I be exposed by connecting a patient to monitoring equipment? If they have a proper dressing in place and aren't gushing blood all over the stretcher (in which case they shouldn't be coming to PACU anyway) you can mention their HIV status when you give me your normal post op report.
OP, I get it that you don't want to be judged by an ignorant healthcare worker but they are out there and you don't always get the professional care you deserve. If you don't have to go to an emergency room, try to see your regular provider who is familiar with your situation.

That is what truly makes me SICK...The fact that someone would avoid seeking medical attention because of it is horrific.What is it,1981 again??

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 31, 2015

I get patients brought to me from the OR and while I am connecting monitor leads and placing a pulse oximetry sensor on the patient's finger, the OR nurse will frantically caution me that the patient is HIV+. Really??

There's a reason why I hope the ICU nurses at my facility realize a patient has a blood borne virus- a lot of them don't realize that drains/chest tubes are placed from the inside out. I shudder enough as it is as they strip the chest tubes of a patient who just rolled in from the OR without gloves. On a patient with a known virus? I will speak up if they aren't wearing gloves.