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Discussion

What do you think of this?

I just remember this, it happened a few years ago.

Now, I'm a CNA, and God knows there is much for me to learn.

I was working unit clerk one day, and we had a new admit come in who was HIV +. The charge nurse took an isolation tag and in big red letters wrote HIV + on the back of it, and PUT IT ON THE CHART for the whole world to see.

I noticed it, took it out and told her I was pretty sure she wasn't supposed to do that. I didn't know what else to do, but I remember being horrified.

That's a total HIPAA viloation, is it not?

What would have been a better way to handle it?

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    I guess I'm wondering why the charts are in such a place that the whole world can see them?

    To me, it just seems unnecessary, and it would seem to me that the charge nurse needs some remediation in infectious diseases. Put it this way - every person should be treated as if they're HIV positive (i.e. universal precautions) and if you're doing your job correctly, the HIV positive patient is no more "dangerous" than any other patient, and an HIV positive patient should not be treated any differently than any other patient. Therefore, there's really no need to know a person's HIV status, from a perspective of one's daily activities and job.

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    • Experts

    This makes me roll my eyes.

    I had a nurse gesture to me to put gloves on when I was touching a patient's arm during hand-off. I had no idea what he meant. When we left the room, he said, "He is HIV +." I said, "Ok." He said, "I was telling you to wear gloves." I said, "I was just touching his arm! Gloves are for potential contact with bodily fluids. My skin is intact, where I touched him is intact."

    I didn't say any more than that. He knew what I was getting at.

    What was going through my head was this, "The 80s called; it wants you back."

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    • Author

    I know! "Universal precautions"...or whatever it's called now. That actually happened to me when another HIV + pt was being admitted. The EMT handed me gloves while we were transferring him onto the bed. I already knew he was HIV +. I just said thanks, but I don't need them for this.

    The charts were behind the nursing station in the wall cubbies, but they're often taken out and used to chart by PT, OT and ST for FIMs. They're often put on the counter while they are being written in, and it was right on the outside of the cover, where you could easily see it when it was laying flat or while it was being opened.

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    I know! "Universal precautions"...or whatever it's called now. That actually happened to me when another HIV + pt was being admitted. The EMT handed me gloves while we were transferring him onto the bed. I already knew he was HIV +. I just said thanks, but I don't need them for this.

    In their defense, EMTs wear gloves whenever they handle ANYONE. He probably just did it out of habit.

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    This makes me roll my eyes.

    What was going through my head was this, "The 80s called; it wants you back."

    I had the same thing happen in 2002....I was getting a patients weight. A nurse I didn't know very well was gesturing, and mouthing the words "HIV POSITIVE!" (Behind the patient's back, but still...) I ignored her. :banghead:

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    I had the same thing happen in 2002....I was getting a patients weight. A nurse I didn't know very well was gesturing, and mouthing the words "HIV POSITIVE!" (Behind the patient's back, but still...) I ignored her. :banghead:

    Sorry, meant to say "patient's weight". Forgot my apostrophe!

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    So ignorant. I remember in the 80's there was an issue to be in the same ROOM with someone who was HIV+ lest one breathes in "germs". Seriously.

    One of the saddest things ever. People dying alone as social outcasts.

    It breaks my heart that someone would even put a big huge red tag declaring HIV+ on the outside of anything. We all need to wear gloves for anyone regardless of diagnosis. And anyone who is doing anything invasive, one would assume that PMH would indicate HIV status if applicable.

    I am curious if the big red tags are also used for Hep C, C-diff, heck, even being Flu +. Part of patient privacy is the need to know.

    Apparently, the unit clerk needs re-education.

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