Infection Prevention Misinformation

Nurses COVID

Published

a nurse friend of mine at Country Bumpkin General tested positive for CV-19 yesterday. Like me, she does the right things, and avoids situations that could have led to this, and takes precautions. She's the manager of the step-down unit, so limited patient contact. I haven't seen her in person for over 6+ months. She called me to let me know that she had tested positive, and she's got flu symptoms as well. I prayed with her, but then she told me that she had called to let me know so that I could be tested since we spoke on the phone last week. The infection preventionist at CBG is apparently telling folks that it can transmit through telephone lines. No, not picking up a dirty phone that should have been wiped, but through normal conversations through your personal cell phone! Who knew? (This is sarcasm for those who don't get it). I called the infection preventionist for clarification, thinking my friend had misunderstood. Noooooo...the young lady on the other end of the line informed how out of touch with current science I was, that this was in fact true, and very common knowledge. She in fact told me that since I've been away from school so long, perhaps I should find some materials to review ?  No wonder there is confusing information out there, when someone in a position like this is spouting oddball misinformation. And yes, I reported this to the CNO, who assured me that her infection preventionist is very up to date on her knowledge, and refused to listen to my reasoning. WOW!, just WOW!. I had to vent, as this sort of thing is dangerous and shows how out of hand things have gotten. Or it qualifies as the "stupid human in a position that they shouldn't be in" award of the week!  

I can't believe that my friend didn't question it, she went to nursing school with me, and is a smart cookie. I can only put it off to her being sick and not thinking straight

 

Specializes in Dialysis.
14 hours ago, Daisy4RN said:

Some piece of work eh, yeah ugh! I don't know how some people get and/or keep their positions.

When you have family and friends in the right places, it always helps. In the small town where I live, most everyone in that hospital is related, so no one ever really sees issues with what's going on, or are disciplined if the poo hits the fan. Those on the outside get thrown under the bus on a regular basis and are blamed for major issues. Glad I got out of there before it became me!

Specializes in ICU.

I love the peopl;e that won't make eye contact and joke that its a droplet/contact virus-not eye contact virus

Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

This is the era of conmen, grifters and charlatans.  Misinformation about covid is pervasive and spread from the office of the president on a routine basis.  Millions of people are being scammed by opportunists during this crisis because they are gullible and primed to believe whatever tickles their ears.  When the government promotes confusion and conspiracy theory it is a given that an alarming percentage of the people will be confused and swayed by nonsense. 

It's a shame that health care accountability and public health is in such shambles in the state of Indiana.  How do you think you might change that predicament?

Specializes in ED RN and Case Manager.
On 9/7/2020 at 8:38 AM, Hoosier_RN said:

a nurse friend of mine at Country Bumpkin General tested positive for CV-19 yesterday. Like me, she does the right things, and avoids situations that could have led to this, and takes precautions. She's the manager of the step-down unit, so limited patient contact. I haven't seen her in person for over 6+ months. She called me to let me know that she had tested positive, and she's got flu symptoms as well. I prayed with her, but then she told me that she had called to let me know so that I could be tested since we spoke on the phone last week. The infection preventionist at CBG is apparently telling folks that it can transmit through telephone lines. No, not picking up a dirty phone that should have been wiped, but through normal conversations through your personal cell phone! Who knew? (This is sarcasm for those who don't get it). I called the infection preventionist for clarification, thinking my friend had misunderstood. Noooooo...the young lady on the other end of the line informed how out of touch with current science I was, that this was in fact true, and very common knowledge. She in fact told me that since I've been away from school so long, perhaps I should find some materials to review ?  No wonder there is confusing information out there, when someone in a position like this is spouting oddball misinformation. And yes, I reported this to the CNO, who assured me that her infection preventionist is very up to date on her knowledge, and refused to listen to my reasoning. WOW!, just WOW!. I had to vent, as this sort of thing is dangerous and shows how out of hand things have gotten. Or it qualifies as the "stupid human in a position that they shouldn't be in" award of the week!  

I can't believe that my friend didn't question it, she went to nursing school with me, and is a smart cookie. I can only put it off to her being sick and not thinking straight

While at home sick today, I came across your post again from a year ago. And literally almost DIED. ☠️The laughter caused a coughing fit so intense that I couldn’t get under control until I took a Duoneb treatment. (Okay, maybe I didn’t almost actually die, but it sure felt like the Duoneb was lifesaving)! 

I can’t believe that I had forgotten about your post. Just curious if the Infection Preventionist is still in her position at “CBG”? I think I remember you saying in another post that the Health Dept was already well aware of her crazy beliefs, because they had heard from other people.  
And I’d LOVE to know… with the additional protective measures that weren’t available a year ago… is it now safe for VACCINATED nurses to talk on the phone????️☎️   ?

 

Specializes in Dialysis.
4 hours ago, KyBeagle said:

While at home sick today, I came across your post again from a year ago. And literally almost DIED. ☠️The laughter caused a coughing fit so intense that I couldn’t get under control until I took a Duoneb treatment. (Okay, maybe I didn’t almost actually die, but it sure felt like the Duoneb was lifesaving)! 

I can’t believe that I had forgotten about your post. Just curious if the Infection Preventionist is still in her position at “CBG”? I think I remember you saying in another post that the Health Dept was already well aware of her crazy beliefs, because they had heard from other people.  
And I’d LOVE to know… with the additional protective measures that weren’t available a year ago… is it now safe for VACCINATED nurses to talk on the phone????️☎️   ?

 

I'll have to check about the infection preventionist, as I avoid the antics of CBG as much as possible. My friend did get well, but opted to retire, as her hubby has a very good job, and she's just had enough. I should be so lucky?

I'm glad it gave you a good laugh though. In these trying times, we can't have too much of that!

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

What.   in.   the.  actual.  hell??

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