zymyn

I was hoping that there was an easier/quicker way. I've already waded thru' the "wonder" site at the CDC's website, only to find that it was much less specific than I need. I was really hoping that someone out there knew of a kind of 'back door' route to looking up the research or white papers that I need to find. Oh welll....

I'm guessing that'd be because he's not charging me for his representation. He's a member of my union (AFSCME) and has taken a lot of time out of his already very busy schedule to help me w/out charge.

I recently had an exposure to TB that I am 99.99999% positive occurred while I was working. I am hoping that one of the I.D. Nurses can help me figure out how to get some pretty specific statistics about hospital acquired TB infections that my empoyer seems to have a vested interest in keeping out of the public arena. My questions are as follows: How would I find specific stats about (1)the number of employee (not just healthcare workers, but others, like janitorial, etc.) exposures to TB occurring at the hospital where I work, during a specific, recent time-period, and (2) how would I find out how many patients in this hospital were known to have/diagnosed with contagious TB during their stay (whether the hosp was treating the TB or not) during the same specific, recent time-period? I am not contagious, but am taking the meds as a prophyaxis, as I am required to do if I wish to retain my job. My last TB test (approx. 6 mo.'s before) was negative, but I re-tested positive after I woke up one morning, blind in my right eye. The dx was TB of the eye. I am not allowed to return to work until I've gone through 2 of a minimum of 9 months of medication, which I must take daily in front of a county Public Health Dep't. worker. I filed for workmans comp., to help cover tx expenses, and also in case my sight is not restored, or gets worse down the road, or the tb returns or is proven to be med-resistant. Workmans comp sent me a denial letter on the same day they sent me the forms to fill out if I wanted my case to be investigated/decided upon. So.. I have a lawyer now, and am petitioning to have the denial overturned. Work Comp was denied because they are stating I can't prove I got exposed at work. They think they have me between a rock/hard place, i.e.; "We won't believe you got it at the hosp unless you tell us who gave it to you, but if you tell us who gave it to you, you are violating HIPPA and we'll fire you." However, lawyer says I just have to prove that it is more likely that I (a PNA who works in a locked psych/drug rehab unit w/many of our pts recent emigres of Africa, So. America, and the Phillipines) got it on the job than on the street. My lawyer asked me to get statistics that prove how likely it is that I got exposed at work, which I cannot seem to find. I can find general ones, but nothing that mentions any incidence whatsoever of TB at my specific hospital. I'm hoping that I.D. Nurses (like nurses everywhere) have the lowdown on where to get/how to get the data I need. Thanks in advance!

I may be wrong about this, but if you're talking about the type of TB test that I'm assuming you're talking about, seeing a "huge" reaction on someone's arm means next to nothing. All kinds of things can cause a large red or bruised looking area at the test site, but the thing that indicates a possible "positive" test is the size of the lump (a.k.a. 'area of inclusion') which is usually slightly under the skin. Unless this coworker physically palpated the area of the skin test, there was no way for him/her to make any diagnosis whatsoever.

I'm just a PNA (psych NA) but I've picked up afew chops over the years...Here are acoupla' tricks that always helped me: 1)Remind yourself to BREATHE. Normally, that is...too many newbies hold their breath, or try too hard to breathe quietly, or to hold their breath while taking the reading. Promise; these rituals never really work, especially when holding your breath, during which the pulse you hear may be your own! Breathe normally, and be calm. 2) Listen with the BELL of your stethoscope, not the diaphragm end...the sounds you're listening for are very low frequency, and the bell end is much better suited for these types of tones. While yer at it, get a NICE stethoscope. Its amazing how much difference it can make, and how much extra work you can give yourself by trying to make do with a cheap-o, crappy one. 3) If necessary, take steps to ISOLATE the pulse area from vibrational sound. This might mean putting a folded towel under an arm, if an air conditioner is rumbling away nearby. Sound vibrations travel thru' flesh and bone, too. 4) Last, but DEFINITELY not least, remind your patient that sitting calmly and relaxing their arm will make the process go as quickly as it can. A patient who moves around, or who starts talking at just the "wrong" moment, can help to hide those quiet sounds. Hope this helps!

Hi-My husband went to the ER w/pneumonia about three weeks ago, and was sent home w/antibiotics and a note saying that he was to return to work the next day. He did, but ended up going back to the ER after a few hrs of work because he was coughing up large quantities of blood. They took films and did some blood tests, then sent him home again. W/in acouple of days, our family doc called and said that the tests/films had shown some serious issues, and to come back in for more. My husband did, and among other serious issues (unknown "masses" on the gallbladder and lymph nodes on his neck, lesions, cysts, and "minor" emphysema of the lungs, etc.) he had also tested positive for Hep C exposure. My issue/question is this: We both work for a University. I work in Nursing at a Hospital, and he works a temporary job at one of the dorms. It is my benefits that provides the insurance that pays for our medical needs. Both of us had previously been tested for Hep A/B/C and had been found to be clean w/in the past two years. I'm not sure where he acquired it, and I haven't been tested yet. My concern is this: I know that Insurance companies can deny coverage if they feel you have been untruthful in your application. Fortunately, I was tested when I got this job (the one that gives me these benefits) at the Hospital, and I tested clean. We both have proof that we were clean when I applied for benefits. However, I worry what will happen if I am tested and come up positive. Can my medical insurance benefits be denied/changed? Can they deny/change them due to my husband's new status? If I don't get tested, does the Insurance company have a right to deny/change coverage? Since my husband is on my benefits, and he tested positive at the Hospital where I work, can/will the Insurance company be informed? Anyway, I'm guessing that anyone can guess any of the other questions I might have. I'm terrified: having just found out that my husband might be seriously ill (the Drs are all very, very uncomfortable about the "unknown masses" on his gallbladder/lymphs) I am very well aware that we may desperately need this coverage in the very near future. I don't know what to do. I would like to know if I am also now positive, but worry that I may lose coverage if I do or if I don't get tested. Can anyone offer me any advice?