Scabies Question

lnatocma · Aug 8, 2006

I need some advice in regards to the facility I am working at currently, I have only been working there since July 28th and after I was hired and started my first day I was told there was a scabie out break, but as people started talking on the floor it has been that way for months, and the people who have it the worse are free to roam around the facility as they please, I also was later informed that staff will not be treated, if staff gets the scabies we will have to pay for the treatments ourselves through our own doctors. Well I am not formally an LPN yet and I am still learning but I thought that those who are spreading the scabies to others would need to be isolated? I guess I need advice on what to do because I love the residents and dont want to quit but have 3 kids at home and wouldnt want to spread it to them. And I do take the necessary precautions not to get it, I even go as far as wearing a lab coat everyday, gloves, and the yellow surgery jacket. What do you all think about this?

We had a severe outbreak years ago when I was in a particular facility. They had to go so far as to pull out all the carpeting in the facility. If I remember right, as long as they are recieving the lotion (forget the name of it), they are ok to move around. We didn't isolate anyone. Also, we did have to pay for our own prescriptions for ourselves. I actually ended up getting it, despite the precautions I took. I don't know what state's require as far as the facilities liability to the staff. I would check with your state board of nursing.

jb2u, ASN, RN · Aug 8, 2006

This article from the Journal of Family Practice should give you plenty of information. Only you can decide what is best for you and your family, but the article does state that residents, staff, and frequent visitors should ALL receive treatment..even if symptoms are not present. It also states that the scabies can live outside the body for 3 days, so you should wash your linens and then NOT wear them for at least 3 days.

Persistent scabies in nursing home patients

Journal of Family Practice, July, 1993 by Sandra J. Paules, Dianne Levisohn, Warren Heffron

AuntieRN · Aug 8, 2006

I worked at a facility a long time ago where we had a whole wing of patients isolated due to a scabies breakout. We wore gowns, gloves, masks, hats the whole nine yards to do their ADLs. Luckily for some reason none of the staff got it that I know of. We also had to have the carpet ripped up and had to take everything down and clean it. It was about 20 years ago so I do not remember all the particulars.

NoWaNrN, ASN, RN · Aug 8, 2006

I worked in a LTC facility were they had an outbreak of scabies and anyone who had worked the unit with in so many days were given the lotion and told to use it.

jb2u, ASN, RN · Aug 8, 2006

I worked in a LTC facility were they had an outbreak of scabies and anyone who had worked the unit with in so many days were given the lotion and told to use it.

this is what the above posted article stated should be done.

fgoff · Aug 8, 2006

I do not know about all states but in some that I worked Scabies was a Worker comp reportable infection.... I hope it is not there...

LanaBanana · Aug 8, 2006

One of my friends just moved her grandmother from a LTC center that has had consistent scabies for over a year. She said her grandmother just keeps being treated for it and since she is bed-ridden, it is staff that is bringing it to her (she's also in a private room) or or improper linen care. When they moved her they left all of her belongings there, had her bathed and put in brand new clothes. If the center is not taking proper care of the staff by putting them on meds, then they probably aren't taking proper care of the patients. That's my 2 cents, but I don't really have any advice for what to do with your job.

Megsd, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2006

My facility had a scabies outbreak last fall. It was mostly confined to one hall (11 or so residents) and the staff who usually worked there. We were all ordered into a staff meeting and given the lotion and told to use it, and told we may want to treat spouses and children as well. The next day all 49 unit residents were treated with lotion (shower, lotion, shower again in 12 hours), every piece of clothing and washable stuff in their room was washed, anything that couldn't be washed (like stuffed animals) was placed in a trash bag and kept there for 90 days. It was chaos, but there hasn't been a problem since then.

jb2u, ASN, RN · Aug 18, 2006

I need some advice in regards to the facility I am working at currently, I have only been working there since July 28th and after I was hired and started my first day I was told there was a scabie out break, but as people started talking on the floor it has been that way for months, and the people who have it the worse are free to roam around the facility as they please, I also was later informed that staff will not be treated, if staff gets the scabies we will have to pay for the treatments ourselves through our own doctors. Well I am not formally an LPN yet and I am still learning but I thought that those who are spreading the scabies to others would need to be isolated? I guess I need advice on what to do because I love the residents and dont want to quit but have 3 kids at home and wouldnt want to spread it to them. And I do take the necessary precautions not to get it, I even go as far as wearing a lab coat everyday, gloves, and the yellow surgery jacket. What do you all think about this?

Did you read my posted article? Do you have an update for us? I am just curious how things worked out for you. I hope for the best!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2006

We had a scabies outbreak in a V.A. facility where I worked. Probably because of all the indigent patients we had on the one wing where it was discovered. It became a workmen's comp issue for the staff. Just about every one of the patients was treated with Elimite cream at the time (two treatments, each a week apart) and each staff member was examined and provided with the medication as well. Bed linens were stripped off and sent for laundering. (Years ago Quell lotion was used.) We were all instructed to go home and strip our beds and wash all our clothes and linens in hot water. The problem with these little devils is that they are microscopic and you can't see them. They also take a week or two to burrow into your skin before you begin to get symptoms. They love the folds of your skin where it tends to get moist and they don't generally go anywhere up beyond your neck into the head region of the body.

Not to scare anyone, but you can get scabies from laying on bedspreads that are not regularly washed in hotel/motel rooms as well.

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Aug 21, 2006

We had an outbreak about a year ago. Every resident in the facility was treated as well as all staff, regardless of whether or not they had symptoms. It took two treatments, but no more scabies!