screening staff for flu before work????

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Specializes in ICU,CCU, MICU, SICU, CVICU, CTSICU,ER.

In an effort to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu our organization states it will screen all employees for s/s of influenza BEFORE clocking in. They plan on taking everyones temperature and asking health questions prior to each oncoming persons shift. Not only will they pre-screen but they will randomly check staffs temperature throughout the day/night and send you home if you are deemed in their eyes unfit to work. We are a union hospital. I guess I'm questioning their right to do so. Has anyone elses facilities taken such a measure as to pre-screen to determine being fit for work due to influenza scare? :argue:

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This is insane! If nursing supervisors and managers didn't put a guilt trip on the RNs.....more people would probably call in when they are having the s/sx.

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That red thermometer tastes funny, stay away from that one.

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My first thought was that if you called in with it you'd get a raft of poop for being out.

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Specializes in ICU,CCU, MICU, SICU, CVICU, CTSICU,ER.
This is insane! If nursing supervisors and managers didn't put a guilt trip on the RNs.....more people would probably call in when they are having the s/sx.

They do encouraging people with flu-like s/s to stay home but....if you miss too many days, say 5 in a 6 month period, you are given reprimand. There is no change in that policy to take into account the fact that administration has mandated you off d/t flu-like s/s. Nor is there a policy change to reflect immunity from reprimand if you are sent home. :cool:

We are a rural hospital and often run minimum staffing, but if the majority of RN's are out I am worried there will be no one to care for patients-especially with management running around taking random temps on staff. I mean, who do they expect to replace these nurses with...surely not themselves:chuckle

Also, I feel they are overstepping their bounds by doing a health screening on staff to judge in their RN opinion (not a physician or mid-level) that someone is unfit to work. This seems illegal and an invasion of privacy. Do they plan on checking random temps on visitors--NO. Are there policies in place now to limit visitors, children.NO!:banghead:

I think they are taking a :jester:'s approach to this and opening themselves up to a whole lot of trouble.

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Specializes in ICU,CCU, MICU, SICU, CVICU, CTSICU,ER.
That red thermometer tastes funny, stay away from that one.

we'll use this one for management--:chuckle

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I think you need to contact an employment attorney. You shouldn't have to submit to a physical exam without your permission. And I can't believe your union isn't supporting you in this. I am sooo sick of the 'we know better than you" attitude this is being brought forth with all this flu nonsense. The only reason such practices are being put into place is because of all the publicity our irresponsible media gave this flu outbreak. We deal with the flu every year, this isn't a new issue..now I'm supposed to give up my personal rights because I decide to help care for patients??? I don't think so! I have rights too...and they don't end because of my job. Keep strong!

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Specializes in ICU,CCU, MICU, SICU, CVICU, CTSICU,ER.
I think you need to contact an employment attorney. You shouldn't have to submit to a physical exam without your permission. And I can't believe your union isn't supporting you in this. I am sooo sick of the 'we know better than you" attitude this is being brought forth with all this flu nonsense. The only reason such practices are being put into place is because of all the publicity our irresponsible media gave this flu outbreak. We deal with the flu every year, this isn't a new issue..now I'm supposed to give up my personal rights because I decide to help care for patients??? I don't think so! I have rights too...and they don't end because of my job. Keep strong!

Agreed. After reading a boat load of literature regarding this flu virus, I don't want it anywhere near me--my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I wonder how much the phamaceutical companies are making off the government purchased H1N1 vaccines--glad our gov isn't too big business like 'W':cool:

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