Pt told me... why didn't anyone else?

[Blues1220]

I work for a Home health agency, I take care of pts in assisted living facilites. Generally I am given an oral report on pt's condition, medication, needs etc. However this time I was not told that the patient had Hep B&C and Aids.... I have been told these conditions on previous patients in the past. The Pt is the one that told me, and the pt also told me the he was told not to tell anyone...

I feel that this was deliberate and I no longer feel safe in my work enviorment. What should I do?

[merlee]

Many home health agencies have computer systems - - netbooks, blackberries, laptops. Information can be easily transmitted. I would no longer work for a company that was not online in some manner.

All diagnoses should be disclosed to the nurse who would be handling the case.

[floridanurse1983]

Actually, legally speaking, neither your employer nor the pt are required to tell you.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

I think most posters seem to be missing the OPs post about caring for similar patients before and having been informed...she/he doesnt have a problem with the care giving but feels a lack of trust in her boss/co workers for this apparent deception.

[Blues1220]

I don't understand why you feel unsafe. I do understand why you may be upset with your employer.

Maybe my words are misleading because I was upset when I wrote the original post.

First let me say precautions were taken and that the pt was treated like everyone else and I thanked the pt for her/his honesty. My outrage comes from the fact that the home owner told the pt not to tell anyone. & the fact that I do feel like I was informed by my supervisor.

After giving it further thought I realize that my outrage has been building up because of previous issues with this homeowner and this was maybe the last straw for me.

Someone asked about the diagnosis and if I had to deal with bodly fluids... the answers is yes I will deal with bodily fluids with this pt on a daily basis. From previous experience and for what we do for these pts in to home (taking care of them long term) we are given all of the information because we report to the doctors who only come in once a month. Like I said I have taken care of pts before with these diseases, that's not the issue.

Someone asked me what I intend to do...

Well I will go into the office; insist on more info and paperwork for this and all pts. I will also dicuss my concern regarding the homeowner with my supervior and if things do not change I will remove myself from the home.

Thank you all for you comments. I really appreciate it.

[Blues1220]

I think most posters seem to be missing the OPs post about caring for similar patients before and having been informed...she/he doesnt have a problem with the care giving but feels a lack of trust in her boss/co workers for this apparent deception.

Thank you!

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

In what capacity are you caring for this individual? Is the diagnosis of HIV/Hepatitis pertinent to the care you are providing?

Information is appropriately shared on a need to know basis. If your care of the individual does not involve the potential for blood/body fluid contact (for example, if you are a dining assistant or if your role is limited to passing oral meds) you do not need to know the person's HIV status to safely provide care.

You are right-a dining assistant doesn't necessarily need to know the H&P of the pt. But the OP is a nurse caring for the pt.

What if she was reporting off to the on-coming nurse who has a cold? Would that not then change her plan of care?

[morte, LPN, LVN]

Thank you!

Welcome!