Texas Children's investigates RN for social media HIPAA violation

Published

A neurosurgeon reportedly went rogue and posted screen shots to the TCH West of the nurse's posts. Ones she later deleted when she realized she said too much including wanting to swab the child and infect her unvaccinated teenager son. TX antivax FB groups are reportedly conspiring how much to offer for a swab of the toddler.

Texas Children's Hospital nurse investigated for Facebook posting as Houston toddler tests positive for measles | abc13.com

Thing is there were no "measles parties". Homes if those infected with measles were quarantined by the DoH. My mother was of the prevaccine generation born in the late 40's. Remembers classmates with polio and red quarantine signs. Her own home was quarantined when she had scarlet fever.

Measles infection puts one at risk for fatal post measles encephalitis known as Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) years after infection. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

And measles has been shown to likely long term "immune amnesia" where your immunity is wiped out. Long-term measles-induced immunomodulation increases overall childhood infectious disease mortality Long-lasting effects of "immune amnesia" induced by measles | Emory University | Atlanta, GA

Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
"Different attitudes towards vaccines"? Is that like "alternative facts"?

No. Antivaxxers are wrong. Period. As PP have said, I don't particularly care whether they feel persecuted or not. Science refutes them utterly.

Yea, as much as I want to try and be respectful of other peoples view points, this is one thing I cant agree with no matter how hard I try

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Practice educator.
My siblings and I, our cousins and neighbors all had measles, German measles, mumps, and chicken pox, as well as 5th Disease.

Not one of my friends suffered any of those diseases, are you using this as a defense against or for vaccines?

Other posters says we are unscientific and even question whether we are even nurses at all because Heaven forbid a different viewpoint than the majority be expressed or merely wondered aloud.

I'm not sure why you think people who KNOW your viewpoint is both unscientific and dangerous would sit idly by while you spout it. You're entitled to your viewpoint and we're entitled to tell you you're wrong, you're harming the profession and you're risking your patients health.

Come back without anecdotal stories about your childhood and your debunked studies and maybe we can get some middle ground where we can discuss the efficacy and safety of vaccines.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I believe in being kind to anti-vaxxers, because I think the non emotional, rational voice eventually wins this argument. When they go low, we go high. It's highly charged because both sides believe they are protecting the lives of children. One is actually correct and one is not. Yet the person screaming insults brings dishonor to their cause. Let them keep doing that. Let's not do it back.

When confronted with an anti-vaxer, I listen, calmly state my points and express my respect for their autonomy in making their own healthcare decisions. Unless the antivaxer is a nurse. Then I totally lose my patience.

Edited to add: The issue is divisive enough, that I have been called an anti-vaxxer (I'm not) simply because I don't think we should force vaccination. I think we should incentivize vaccination, but not force. People get pushed out of moderate viewpoints into extreme ones when we attack them. So I think we need to just calm down a bit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
I believe in being kind to anti-vaxxers, because I think the non emotional, rational voice eventually wins this argument. When they go low, we go high.

I have yet to meet an anti-vaxxer that has been "won over" by any amount of rational voice, scientific evidence, or (as we see in this case) even intense personal experience.

This movement has been afforded room to grow by the notion that opinion carries the same weight as fact and from a lack of push-back by the experts in the community (of which I consider nurses). Combating the anti-vax movement means speaking louder and in greater numbers to educate the public (facebook, clinics, forums, blogs, etc) on the facts of the issue. The public will make its own determination, however, they are doing that now with equal weight, and that worries me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice, LTC, public health, occupational health.
I don't think we should force vaccination. I think we should incentivize vaccination, but not force.

You mean your kid not dying or being permanently damaged by serious illness isn't incentive enough?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I thought that the Jewish bankers, led by the Rothchilds, were the one seeking global domination via the trilateral commission!? It's really the Russian led antivaxers? Thanks for alerting us!

I take it you didn't see the news about it last week? LA Times, The Guardian, The BBC... I mean, this was not insignificant news...???

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
I thought that the Jewish bankers, led by the Rothchilds, were the one seeking global domination via the trilateral commission!? It's really the Russian led antivaxers? Thanks for alerting us!

Russian bots are not just anti-democracy — they're also anti-vaccine - The Washington Post

Russian Twitter trolls are 'weaponising' the online vaccine debate

In another attack on Western society, Russian trolls sow doubt about vaccines

Russian trolls 'spreading discord' over vaccine safety online | Society | The Guardian

Why a Russian Anti-Vaccine Trolling Operation Failed On Twitter | Fortune

Russian Trolls Used Vaccine Debate to Sow Discord, Study Finds - The New York Times

even:

Russian trolls, bots 'spreading discord' over vaccine safety, scientists say | Fox News

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
My siblings and I, our cousins and neighbors all had measles, German measles, mumps, and chicken pox, as well as 5th Disease. I guess people knew these could all have some bad consequences, but I don't recall terror being associated with these UCHD - usual childhood diseases. It was just expected that all kids would get them. There were no vaccines back then - that we/our parents and grandparents and aunties knew about. Just calamine lotion for itching and aspirin (yes, aspirin) for fever. Mom also gave us hot milk sweetened with rock candy, or ice pops.

I now it's a different world, I am not going to fight the annual pro vs. anti-vax battle, as no one ever changes anyone else's mind and many rude remarks are made about those who aren't so sure that forced vaccines are safe and effective. Other posters says we are unscientific and even question whether we are even nurses at all because Heaven forbid a different viewpoint than the majority be expressed or merely wondered aloud.

So, to each his own. No point in trying to have a calm, rational discussion, just go right to Aunt Slappy's type of remark. People have different opinions, for various reasons, but they'll get little if any respect around here.

The nurse in this article is an idiot re: HIP HIP HOORAY.

You are allowed opinions sure. However, vaccines and the question of vaccination is not an opinion based argument. It is a fact based argument, and the facts are clear, vaccines are oberwhelmingly safe and effective. There is no evidence to the contrary after decades of research. Anyone who believes that health care should be based on opinions instead of facts doesn't belong in a position to influence its outcome.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I now it's a different world, I am not going to fight the annual pro vs. anti-vax battle, as no one ever changes anyone else's mind and many rude remarks are made about those who aren't so sure that forced vaccines are safe and effective. Other posters says we are unscientific and even question whether we are even nurses at all because Heaven forbid a different viewpoint than the majority be expressed or merely wondered aloud.

Posters say that anti-vaxxers are unscientific because they are: their position is based on a mix of opinion, conspiracy theory, hearsay, and anecdotes rather than scientific fact. It has zero to do with having a viewpoint that is different from the majority and all about having a viewpoint that is different from the facts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
You mean your kid not dying or being permanently damaged by serious illness isn't incentive enough?

It should be. But some people are conflicted . Force breeds opposition.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, ladies and gents, I have attended a rehab and have been Facebook free for the last 9 months! My momma's so proud of me! :sarcastic:

Yasssss!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion