Is this reasonable?

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2021

Honestly, being six feet away (instead of three) in a room for that much time with a trached and vented patient with COVID will not provide much protection. The room will be saturated with particulates and virus.

For me, it would be more a decision about whether or not I wanted to 1:1 a high risk patient with COVID-19.

Have you been vaccinated yet?

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Mar 5, 2021

Will be patient be on the vent the whole time you are there? Or do you have to take them off the vent for care? If the circuit remains closed I wouldn't be as concerned. If the circuit needs to be broken do you have a face shield, N95, gown etc? I personally wouldn't be overly concerned, but I had some very prolonged exposures early on in the pandemic and ever caught it, so maybe I'm not as concerned as I might be.

guest1143647 · Mar 6, 2021

I am vaccinated. I do have full PPE

Pt circuit needs to be broken for suctioning and neb treatments. He is vent dependent.

I am going to leave the windows wide open to help with ventilation of the room.

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Mar 6, 2021

I'm glad you're vaccinated and have the appropriate PPE.

In my experience, suctioning and neb treatments should both be able to be done without breaking the circuit, but my hospital may have a different set up.

I hope you're comfortable enough with your assignment, all the best.

JadedCPN, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2021

On 3/5/2021 at 12:37 PM, Runsoncoffee99 said:

Is it unreasonable for me to sit with all PPE on about 3 feet from a Covid + client for 8 hours with breaks? Can I increase my risk of infection that way?

I don’t think it is unreasonable if you have the appropriate PPE. I work in the hospital and if we have a psych hold who needs a 1:1 patient sitter at the bedside who happens to have covid, that sitter is sitting in the room for 12 hours with full PPE to keep the patient safe.

guest1143647 · Mar 11, 2021

Another manager from another agency stated I need to sit outside the room. She stated the 6 ft rule too,but she said it is best to sit in another room and check on the client often. All with full PPE on of course(gowns,gloves,mask,face shield.)

When I worked in a facility we were told to be in Covid + patients rooms as little as possible. We had to provide care but not be in the rooms longer than necessary.

caliotter3 · Mar 11, 2021

I am in a side room with a wall obstructing my view from my non-Covid pt. At first I insisted staying in the same room within view but soon found I could keep tabs on the pt just fine from the side room. The parents were the ones who suggested I use the side room. I think being close enough for frequent checking is good enough. Keeping the windows open is a good idea. Good that you feel comfortable enough to care for the pt at all. So many home care nurses have thrown in the towel over Covid.

T-Bird78 · Mar 11, 2021

When I was working in the hospital I was pulled to be a sitter 1:1 for a pt in 4-point restraints with COVID isolation protocol. I had to wear the full PPE and respirator (I failed the N95 fit test so get the respirator instead of N95; that thing hurts) the entire shift, in the hospital room. No open window, no side room, just had my chair as close to the room door as possible. I was a sitter for another COVID pt who was 1013 but that room was negative pressure so I could sit in the outer room and watch through the window.

guest1143647 · Mar 12, 2021

23 hours ago, caliotter3 said:

I am in a side room with a wall obstructing my view from my non-Covid pt. At first I insisted staying in the same room within view but soon found I could keep tabs on the pt just fine from the side room. The parents were the ones who suggested I use the side room. I think being close enough for frequent checking is good enough. Keeping the windows open is a good idea. Good that you feel comfortable enough to care for the pt at all. So many home care nurses have thrown in the towel over Covid.

I thought so too. But it seems many PEDS nurses and parents want your eyes on the patient at all times except for bathroom breaks. Most also want you to sit at the bedside. One mom called the company because a nurse stepped outside for 10 minutes to get some fresh air. This was a non Covid patient.

I will say my adult patients do not want me to sit in the same room as them.

CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2021

On 3/5/2021 at 8:12 PM, Runsoncoffee99 said:

I am vaccinated. I do have full PPE

Pt circuit needs to be broken for suctioning and neb treatments. He is vent dependent.

I am going to leave the windows wide open to help with ventilation of the room.

I guess I don't see what the issue is, you've had your vaccinations and have adequate PPE. Trust your training, keep following infection control procedures and the have faith in the science behind the vaccine.

Edited to add: I'd be more concerned about taking the virus out of the house and be super careful about changing shoes etc. before I got in the car.

guest1143647 · Mar 12, 2021

Just now, CharleeFoxtrot said:

I guess I don't see what the issue is, you've had your vaccinations and have adequate PPE. Trust your training, keep following infection control procedures and the have faith in the science behind the vaccine.

I am protected from severe disease if I happen to become infected,that is true.

From what I've read on CDC website,vaccinated individuals can still get infected and pass the virus to unvaccinated individuals. I have unvaccinated,high risk family members at home. Plus I work with other high risk clients throughout the week.