Isolation for AIDS patients who are bleeding

kids · Nov 30, 2003

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy
I'm a bit frustrated that in this day people don't know the transmission. Am I wrong. Is it better to isolate her because of some bleeding on her skin?

I can understand your frustration Tweety. Not to sound lax or sloppy (I do follow UP with everyone) my personal feelings have always been "if I'm not having sex or shooting dope with them (HIV+ persons) I don't have a whole lot to worry about".

I guess my answer to isolation depends on how able to "comply" with limiting potential transmittion the patient is.

I suppose I could see isolating the patient in a few very specific circumstances like: if they are confused and could smear blood on surfaces (there is a miniscule risk of someone touching the blood with an open wound within the very narrow time frame the virus remains alive). Or if they are agitated and could scratch someone with blood contaminated nails.

Otherwise the only reason I can see for isolation is to protect the patient from the nasty bugs that can run rampant in hospitals and then only if the would was open to air.

BarbPick · Nov 30, 2003

Every 2 years to be relicensed, every Florida nurse must take an HIV update, and the BON audits contuing education.

I would dress the open area. End of Story.

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 30, 2003

LORDY LORDY, what would we do in OB where we literally *Wade* in blood in so many deliveries??? We have had HIV positive patients deliver where I am and we treat them with the SAME universal precautions as all the rest.....as far as we are concerned they are ALL POSITIVE for intents and purposes.....

I think putting a person who has wounds in isolation is excessive...and wasteful,if the only thing he has going is HIV pos status...... IF we are USING UNIVERSAL precautions, why should there be a problem here?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2003

Thanks for the input. I just needed some validation. I did a little more education with the staff that most objected. She was a bit uncomfortable, so I got in there and dressed the weeping area, changed the linen, laughed, joked and carried on with the patient, touched the patient and showed the aide I had no fear. I also explained that this patient was more apt to get sick from us than we from her. Sigh...

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Nov 30, 2003

Good job, Tweets. As always. :kiss

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Nov 30, 2003

Added to note... we wouldn't even put our HIV pos dialysis patients in isolation ! And there's a LOT of blood contact/blood splashes in dialysis. We've not HAD any HIV pos. pts., but our policy is such that they would NOT require isolation. Hep. B and TB only.

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 1, 2003

Tweety is in LTC and the biggest problem is staff education...generally we are talking about people with little education and great prejudices that can be very difficult to overcome...

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2003

Originally posted by ktwlpn
Tweety is in LTC and the biggest problem is staff education...generally we are talking about people with little education and great prejudices that can be very difficult to overcome...

I guess you're right. But I can't help but be a little disappointed that after over 20 years of AIDS awareness, people still don't get it.

BarbPick · Dec 1, 2003

Tweety, I will send you something you can bring to your facility in a pm.

live4today, RN · Dec 1, 2003

Hi Tweets :)

I agree that there is no need to isolate that particular patient for the reasons described. I've taken care of many HIV+ and full blown AIDS patients during my days as a traveling nurse, working for the Army, and in civilian hospitals, and it does NOT bother me one bit to do so. :nurse:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2003

Originally posted by BarbPick
Tweety, I will send you something you can bring to your facility in a pm.

Thanks. I'll look it over and copy it.