I think peri/rectal swabs are a humiliating 'welcome' to the hospital

Nurses General Nursing

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On some units we are starting MRSA screening on all new admits. They have to agree to it, of course. We are supposed to do a nasal and a peri-rectal swab. I was on a unit that just started doing this, it was their opening day of this new policy so I had to ask all my patients to allow me to do this screening. A couple of the patients allowed both areas to be swabbed and a couple only would let me do the nasal swab.

The whole peri/rectal swab thing is demeaning, in my opinion. What a way to start out as a patient at a facility! You have to put on a patient gown and proffer your backside to the nurse, after being asked a bunch of embarrassing questions.

This is why I hate the whole healthcare system whenever I am in the patient role, which has been rare. No wonder people feel powerless. There are a lot of things that contribute to the stripping of human dignity in our healthcare system, and this peri-anal swabbing has got to definitely be in the top 10 list.

Specializes in Oncology.
We only do nasal swabs as well. Question for those doing peri-rectal..what percentage are refusing?! TY.

I've never had anyone refuse, because we let them do it themselves.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Question for additional debate...

How many of us nurses have colonized MRSA infection?? Especially those of us who have spent years in SNF's (which seems to be the highly targeted group)!

How long will it be before all of us are required to have these same swabs done? How about swabbing the physicians and everyone else involved with direct care?

This just seems like endless insanity.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

The only concern that the hospitals have is to not get stuck with a bill. They have the patient swabbed - the patient comes back positive - the patient gets treated for MRSA and the fault lies with the patient - the hospital does not get fined for spreading MRSA.

It's all about the money. If the hospitals started to swab the nursing staff, then it just stands to reason that it seems a little negligent to not swab ALL of the staff that comes in to contact with the patient such as dietary, PT, OT, RT..........and THE DOCTORS (!!!!!).

There's some pretty powerful folks out there representing the docs that will bend over backwards to prevent THAT scenario from happening.

What do you suppose happens when Dr. So and So Cardiologist comes back with a positive MRSA swab? Does the hospital ban him from seeing patients there? OMG! Can you just imagine if that was the case?

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
What do you suppose happens when Dr. So and So Cardiologist comes back with a positive MRSA swab? Does the hospital ban him from seeing patients there? OMG! Can you just imagine if that was the case?

My point exactly! And, I am pretty sure, that if we were to culture nurses, especially those in health care for a number of years, a lot of us would suddenly be out too!

"Hey I could use a vacation. Swab my nose so I can get some time off" :lol2:

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That's exactly why they don't swab any of us...it will cost them big in more ways than one.

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Specializes in geriatric.paliative.wound care.

Where I work it is also a admission protocol.that swabs be taken.for MRSA as well as VRE...............Keeping these pts separated from negative swabs for MRSA and VRE.........

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OMG. I'm glad we're not the only facility that is doing this. LOL I haven't read all the posts, but the nasal swabs are for MRSA and the peri/anal swabs (we actually swab the arm pits, then groin, then rectum) are to test for acenitobacter and VRE.

Our facility is only doing these on transfers from nursing homes and from other hospitals, but I'm just waiting for the day that they start doing these on all new admissions.

My first swab was on a young, attractive male transfer from another hospital. Boy that was fun! LOL

We actually have caught some acenitobacter and MRSA that were not disclosed to us on admission by doing this, so I guess it's serving it's purpose, but yeah, what a great way to start your stay.

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Specializes in interested in NICU!!.

hello, are they doing this to new nurses starting on the job?!?!?! :cry:

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Specializes in geriatric.paliative.wound care.

Still think its a great idea for screening.........

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Specializes in Retired OR nurse/Tissue bank technician.
How humiliating. I never heard of peri-anal swabbing for MRSA. I wonder if any other facilities are doing that. :confused:

My mom had sx for lung cancer last April; she was swabbed at the pre-op clinic. A friend has been hospitalized for pulmonary emboli; she was swabbed the other day.

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I may have a slightly different perspective on this. I am 'justavolunteer'. Some pts who come in have to be evaluated for sores on their back, buttocks, etc. on arrival. I am not sure of the exact criteria. It is mainly elderly, bed-ridden pts. I know this is done because someone usually has to help the nurse turn the pt. Sometimes the 'someone' is me. My suggestion would be to explain why something is done & be polite to the patient. I have been a pt myself. I am more likely to let someone do something invasive such as this if the person doing it is polite and explains the need.

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Specializes in Med surg and a host of others.

my question is who is billed for this ??? or does the hospital pick up the tab weather it returns positive or negative; most assuradly it probably passed onto the consumer. it seems that the hospital has not done enough to teach their staff so they can inform patients of why this procedure is a necessity and the pros and cons of having it done. i personally think i would decline if asked.:twocents:

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