Isolation room set up?

Specialties School

Published

For those nurses who have already returned back to work- can you share any tips/ideas/pics of your room setup? I’ve heard a rumor that my nurse’s office and the isolation room (next to mine- connected by a door) will be separated by a piece of plexiglass. ??‍♀️ I also believe I will be responsible for manning both. I’m trying to remain positive- but many nurses are telling me that their schools have hired a “health assistant” to monitor one of them while they do non covid visits, injuries and scheduled meds. Would love any advice. Thanks.

2 Votes
Specializes in School nursing.

Yep! We haven't started school yet, but I've been in my building. I can see if I can take some pics.

But basically mine is a small group classroom that I can fit 4 cots in socially distanced with good ventilation (both HVAC filtering and three large windows that can open). It has a bathroom right next to it that will be for its use only. I will put a barrier up to allow walking to the bathroom with no one seeing/interacting. I also will have a small space outside of it within that barrier that I can do a quick assessment to determine if the student I have is a legit COVID concern or not (I.e. nausea due to heavy menstrual period, etc.). If they are, into the the room they go, if not to my office or back to class they go.

I have hired an LPN I'm supervising to help with this and also scheduled visits, thank goodness!

3 Votes

You are so lucky to have help! I appreciate your info/pics. I go back the 18th.

1 Votes
Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

I'll be back there shortly, but have been at meetings and have started getting my room(s) ready. My area was set up as a decent sized clinic (holds three cots) with a small office for me inside of it. I was NOT getting any help, so the only solution was to move all my office stuff (desk, files, ect.) out into the clinic area and make my small office the isolation room. There is a window into my office, so I will be able to see anyone in there from my desk/clinic area. Not ideal by any means, but it's what I have to work with.

5 Votes

I have nothing. I've bugged the principal and Dean, I've emailed proposals, and I have nothing. Not even a meeting to discuss it.

1 Votes

Oh WOW!! When do you start back?

1 Votes
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
19 hours ago, Eleven011 said:

I'll be back there shortly, but have been at meetings and have started getting my room(s) ready. My area was set up as a decent sized clinic (holds three cots) with a small office for me inside of it. I was NOT getting any help, so the only solution was to move all my office stuff (desk, files, ect.) out into the clinic area and make my small office the isolation room. There is a window into my office, so I will be able to see anyone in there from my desk/clinic area. Not ideal by any means, but it's what I have to work with.

GOOD JOB. Necessity is a mother, isn't it?

3 Votes
Specializes in School Nurse.

Nope. The first plan was to have 1 room that served dual purpose of isolation AND "normal health office" I told my admin NO. She does not understand why that won't work, despite it being against district protocol, and refuses to meet to come up with a solution.

On the plus side - we are starting with virtual learning and are likely to remain there for quite awhile.

2 Votes
17 hours ago, nursetlm said:

Oh WOW! When do you start back?

Our school year starts Monday. We'll be virtual until Labor Day, and then the district will decide whether to move to hybrid or stay virtual.

2 Votes

I guess many of us are in the same boat.

2 Votes
Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

My isolation room is across the hall from the office, my clinic is in the office. If I’m with someone in the clinic, our secretary or someone can stand in the hall, or something...I guess, to keep an eye on any kiddo in there. I’m hoping to not have to have anyone else need to go in there. But I guess we will see. That would mean I have to leave the door open, which I’m not crazy about. I asked if we could get it changed out to a door with a window but that got shot down for some reason. I will have 2 cots in there with room dividers side by side to keep them separate. There’s a sink, which is nice.

1 Votes

Oh that is good! I don’t have a bathroom or sink in my small office to begin with. ? There is one in the hallway to my office- but I would think an isolation room would ideally have their own. Oh well. I know it will all work out somehow. ??‍♀️ I’m just trying to envision donning whatever PPE they do provide each time someone comes in with any covid s/s- having time walk them into isolation room next door. Have to remove PPE to go back to normal nurse’s office to see injured person or give scheduled med or PRN med- while sick child in other room is unsupervised. Then having to Don PPE to go back and check on them, escort to parents, etc.

2 Votes
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