Should I be worried contact with Mrsa/VRE patient?

mzsuccess · Sep 17, 2015

I just wanted insight of course I'm going to see a Medical Dr like I said its two weeks and I'm really worried. And then the internet plays a big role..you know you can't stop searching things. But I totally get where you're coming from.

Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2015

Your facility should have a bodily fluid exposure protocol, including reporting to your manager, occupational health, and possibly the ER. If you're worried about a potential exposure, you should be following this protocol, not waiting two weeks for a GP appointment, self-medicating with leftover antibiotics, and asking advice from a board full of strangers.

mzsuccess · Sep 17, 2015

I didn't report on time it happened around 5am this morning. I have to work at7pm and I just don't want everyone there to know my business. They gossiped so bad about the last aid that work there that got exposed. I feel so ghtly comfortable talking to my unit manger how should I bring it up? What if she say what didn't u report it then and I lose my job? I wasn't sure it was the Foley for sure I just dealt something wet hit by my eye.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 17, 2015

If you don't report it as per the policy of the facility, you may not be eligible for anything such as worker's comp or any other workplace related compensation as there is no proof you were exposed during work hours. This means that even if any sort of exposure at work results in any kind of medical care need, it will be on you to obtain and pay for (or use insurance for) any of the needed care. If you feel you were exposed, you need to speak with your manager and follow the policy.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Sep 17, 2015

You need to report the possible exposure now. Failure to report places full responsibility for all testing, medical fees, any treatment or prescription and possible lost work on you. Private insurance and state insurance specifically exclude work related claims. You call. This happened. What do I do?

rnforforty · Sep 17, 2015

Gotta a flash for you - this is a Body Fluid Exposure - report this to Employee Health at once and write up an exposure/incident report! Then follow the facility protocol. Don't you remember OSHA?

Another flash - you are exposed to MRSA every day in any setting, not just at work. It can be on the grocery cart handle, money, the minister's hands when he shakes yours after church! 50% of the normal, well, walking around population are colonized with MRSA. And I would hazard a guess that most of your coworkers are as well.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2015

If it's a work-related exposure, someone from occupational health should be seeing you. Two weeks doesn't sound right, unless you didn't express the urgency to staff....

JustbeachNurse your right. I scheduled a appt but can't see my Dr until two weeks and people don't really discuss those things around my job. They're quick to laugh and brush it off.

Fiona59 · Sep 17, 2015

Incident report.

If your GP can't see you for two weeks, haul into a medi-centre.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 17, 2015

Duplicate threads merged.

nurseactivist · Sep 18, 2015

You need to report this as an on the job incident to your manager now. You should have reported it timely, but you didn't. You won't make that mistake again.

In the "ancient" days we had needlesticks and didn't report it. A poor and dangerous practice. Today, I have a friend who works in health care with hep C on a liver transplant list. She did not report, and now has no proof that this work related.

mzsuccess · Sep 18, 2015

I reported it my boss. I guess I can say for certain because it went in my eye. The pt has all kinds of stuff. This makes me want to quit and not be a nurse anymore. Now its a waiting game.

K+MgSO4, BSN · Sep 18, 2015

What you need is to learn from this as well. PPE includes goggles or safety glasses. If your organisation does not provide them ask your manager. Also you can buy your own and claim them as a work expense or at least at tax time.