Working on a Covid unit- should I see family?

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Hi all, sorry if this topic has been posted before. I'm a new grad nurse who was hired into the ICU, which was recently converted to a Covid ICU. I am in a state that recently is experiencing another wave of cases. I'm super grateful to have gotten a job but am now concerned about if I should see my elderly parents while working in this unit.

Nurses working on Covid units- are you isolating at home from spouses and/or family? Do you see elderly parents or grandparents??

I was considering socially distanced outdoor dinners with my parents, but my mom has hypertension and my dad has CHF/diabetes/htn....aka they are a poster of risk factors. Please let me know your experiences and thoughts!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I personally would isolate and not put family at risk

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Thank you @Silverdragon102 much appreciated!

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Absolutely.

I worked on the pandemic when it hit my state bad. I self-isolated, kept 6 feet apart and wore a mask covering around them. Separated my eating utensils from the group and kept my toothbrush somewhere else.

The PPE we wore at my hospital was booties, a Tyvek suit, an N95, mask, goggles and a hair covering. I'd put on a surgical gown (cloth, you know the ones from PACU) for extra protection. double glove, take off my dirty gown after sanitizing it, and then taking off the first pair, hand sanitizing the gloves and then sanitizing my Tyvek before taking off the gloves to wash my hands.

When I left the unit, I'd disinfect my Tyvek suit, take virex and scrub the bottoms of my shoes thoroughly with bleach. leave virex on my stethoscope for 5 minutes and other things. and then wash my hands for 20 minutes.

When I get home I scrub myself down and self-quarantine as much as possible.

I was one of the few people, SO FAR, in the entire hospital, to not get +covid.

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When I worked on the units, I would make time to wash my hand at regular intervals thoroughly.

I would make time to regularly dis-infect my medication cart over and over in the case of accidental cross-contamination.

Hopefully, it's better for you; we ran out of sanitation wipes, regular hand-sanitizer and gowns. everyone had to use their disposable gowns for days. it was rough.

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Specializes in CWON.

I visit my folks outside... and social distance. When I have to go into their home to help with something I wear a mask and basically have a Clorox wipe in each hand until I leave. Anything that I need to touch is with a wipe. I don't go in often. I feel like they are safe enough. No hugs...but video calls don't work well with them and we all need some family time to stay sane.

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Thank you all for your thoughts ❤️ This really is a difficult time. I decided not to see my parents for a few weeks and possibly indefinitely while I get better at donning/doffing and making sure I'm staying safe. My parents aren't happy with my decision because they don't understand the risks but I'd rather keep them safe.

My hospital's PPE situation seems reasonable...reusing gowns, masks etc. but that seems like the norm everywhere.

Sending positive thoughts to you all.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I am in a surge area, not yet called up to the front line but am now on notice that I will be soon due to staff shortages. I go to work and I go home, that’s it. I definitely don’t go see my 76 year old Mom.

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