My dermatologist's office (big multi location office) sent out an email that they are all business as usual but you could do a tele consult if you are already an existing patient.
I am giving them major side eye for not stating that they are canceling elective procedures. Surely dermatology has elective procedures, I see them advertising all kinds of cosmetic stuff in their waiting room. If I can stop putting braces on new patients, you can stop Coolsculpting or Botox or whatever it is that's elective.
My dermatologist's office (big multi location office) sent out an email that they are all business as usual but you could do a tele consult if you are already an existing patient.
I am giving them major side eye for not stating that they are canceling elective procedures. Surely dermatology has elective procedures, I see them advertising all kinds of cosmetic stuff in their waiting room. If I can stop putting braces on new patients, you can stop Coolsculpting or Botox or whatever it is that's elective.
Yeah I had a patient who needed a clearance letter for cataract procedure that was scheduled for this week to see me (don't get me started on how stupid these "clearance" letters are for cataracts). I messaged him to let him know he should double check with his doctor to make sure they're still doing the procedure as it's been scheduled for awhile, so clearly not urgent. He called them and said they sure are still doing it. He was just in the office 2 months ago, so I just wrote a letter saying that he was healthy at that time. I told him he absolutely did not need to come in to our office for a clearance letter and that his doctor better not give him a hard time for needing anymore "clearance."
To be honest, I think it's because they still want to/need to make money. Which I get, but we're in a pandemic! My area has wide community spread. My mom's endocrinologist (in another city) made her drive over an hour for a stable condition to get a refill because Medicare hadn't yet approved video visits for reimbursement.
If my clinic who sees underserved patients and has a shoe-string budget can figure it out because it's what's best for patients/the general public then so can these other doctor groups.
To be honest, I think it's because they still want to/need to make money. Which I get, but we're in a pandemic! My area has wide community spread. My mom's endocrinologist (in another city) made her drive over an hour for a stable condition to get a refill because Medicare hadn't yet approved video visits for reimbursement.
If my clinic who sees underserved patients and has a shoe-string budget can figure it out because it's what's best for patients/the general public then so can these other doctor groups.
Of course it's about $$$$. I read their "protective measures" and laughed. It's what we do every day when I see a patient for braces. I could put out some half-assed statement like them and KOKO so I continue making money. It's not the right thing to do. Us practice owners are all taking a huge hit if we are being ethical. Which is another thing, this crisis is definitely a test of colleagues showing their ethics.
Post by wanderingback on Mar 20, 2020 13:36:46 GMT -5
One of my coworkers just checked in on me. I told her that I was feeling "weird" after being around patients the past few days, but my temps have been fine and haven't been coughing, so it was likely in my head. She said she felt the same and that everyone she has talked to taking care of patients has been saying the same things. So I'm glad I'm not alone! My chest tightness is still there, but maybe it really is just anxiety...which I've never before had in my life and I don't really feel anxious otherwise. Ugh, crazy times.
In positive news we just got the names and bios of who matched to our program and wow what an impressive group of people. We're having virtual celebration to meet them/celebrate.
One of my coworkers just checked in on me. I told her that I was feeling "weird" after being around patients the past few days, but my temps have been fine and haven't been coughing, so it was likely in my head. She said she felt the same and that everyone she has talked to taking care of patients has been saying the same things. So I'm glad I'm not alone! My chest tightness is still there, but maybe it really is just anxiety...which I've never before had in my life and I don't really feel anxious otherwise. Ugh, crazy times.
In positive news we just got the names and bios of who matched to our program and wow what an impressive group of people. We're having virtual celebration to meet them/celebrate.
All of my co-workers are feeling the same, that's why I went in tht first day being sick. I just assumed I was being a hypochondriac 😂. I'm sorry if you are having anxiety, it would be so normal with everything going on. So many people are struggling with it
One of my coworkers just checked in on me. I told her that I was feeling "weird" after being around patients the past few days, but my temps have been fine and haven't been coughing, so it was likely in my head. She said she felt the same and that everyone she has talked to taking care of patients has been saying the same things. So I'm glad I'm not alone! My chest tightness is still there, but maybe it really is just anxiety...which I've never before had in my life and I don't really feel anxious otherwise. Ugh, crazy times.
In positive news we just got the names and bios of who matched to our program and wow what an impressive group of people. We're having virtual celebration to meet them/celebrate.
All of my co-workers are feeling the same, that's why I went in tht first day being sick. I just assumed I was being a hypochondriac 😂. I'm sorry if you are having anxiety, it would be so normal with everything going on. So many people are struggling with it
Haha. Did you ever end up getting tested? (sorry can't remember if you said you were going to be able to) Hope you're feeling better though!
I’m an RN who left the bedside about a year ago. Just got a call to work one of my states drive thru testing sites. Having major disagreements with my DH on this. I want to do my part to help. He says it’s dumb to put our family at risk unnecessarily. I disagree and feel that with proper PPE I’d be ok. I haven’t called back yet but would of course only do it depending on what they say re PPE and other conditions. Thoughts?
All of my co-workers are feeling the same, that's why I went in tht first day being sick. I just assumed I was being a hypochondriac 😂. I'm sorry if you are having anxiety, it would be so normal with everything going on. So many people are struggling with it
Haha. Did you ever end up getting tested? (sorry can't remember if you said you were going to be able to) Hope you're feeling better though!
I did yesterday, just waiting now. Man I feel bad I do those tests on kids 😳😂. I'm starting to turn the corner I think. I just really regret having a townhouse when I pant up the stairs! Thank you
I’m an RN who left the bedside about a year ago. Just got a call to work one of my states drive thru testing sites. Having major disagreements with my DH on this. I want to do my part to help. He says it’s dumb to put our family at risk unnecessarily. I disagree and feel that with proper PPE I’d be ok. I haven’t called back yet but would of course only do it depending on what they say re PPE and other conditions. Thoughts?
ETA: this is NJ - tons of cases here
I was the patient at drive through testing and I think I would feel safe. They had good PPE and another person to verify that they were donning and doffing appropriately. They were using CAPRs so really good respiratory protection but this might vary.
Post by wanderingback on Mar 20, 2020 17:29:24 GMT -5
We just got directive from our health state department that outpatients should not be tested at all. PPE needs to be reserved for hospitalized patients so shouldn't waste testing or testing supplies on people that don't require hospitalization. This includes for healthcare workers and any other first responders.
They also said that there is no good evidence that nsaids or acei worsen illness so people should continue to take their routine medications as directed.
I’m an RN who left the bedside about a year ago. Just got a call to work one of my states drive thru testing sites. Having major disagreements with my DH on this. I want to do my part to help. He says it’s dumb to put our family at risk unnecessarily. I disagree and feel that with proper PPE I’d be ok. I haven’t called back yet but would of course only do it depending on what they say re PPE and other conditions. Thoughts?
ETA: this is NJ - tons of cases here
I'm not an RN but I manage a disaster team through our county and was asked if we would volunteer to work one to help alleviate some of the need for medical workers either as logistics or eventually to do swabbing with medical supervison. I know that we are limited on PPE and while I have some of my own, I don't have enough to feel comfortable putting my family at risk.
One of my coworkers just checked in on me. I told her that I was feeling "weird" after being around patients the past few days, but my temps have been fine and haven't been coughing, so it was likely in my head. She said she felt the same and that everyone she has talked to taking care of patients has been saying the same things. So I'm glad I'm not alone! My chest tightness is still there, but maybe it really is just anxiety...which I've never before had in my life and I don't really feel anxious otherwise. Ugh, crazy times.
In positive news we just got the names and bios of who matched to our program and wow what an impressive group of people. We're having virtual celebration to meet them/celebrate.
I've been feeling this too, and started wondering if the glands in my neck were swelling. I have allergies and use two different allergy meds every day, so I knew it was probably that. But the day I got a tension headache drove home that most of what I'm feeling in my body is psychological/stress, so I'm really trying to move my body for fun and enjoyment whenever I can to get some of that out of me. I think everyone having direct patient contact will be going through this for a while. How could we not?
Post by kballerina on Mar 20, 2020 18:12:09 GMT -5
Well, it happened today. We were told we're not allowed to wear masks on the floor anymore if we are asymptomatic. Even if we are high risk - if we don't feel safe, we are supposed to contact HR. I told them I have asthma and need to wear a mask for my own protection. I even sewed my own mask. They said no and will not allow me to wear my home-sewn mask (I made a pocket to insert a surgical mask so I still get the droplet protection and can sanitize the fabric mask at home by boiling it.) I'm not sure how to proceed from here.
Well, it happened today. We were told we're not allowed to wear masks on the floor anymore if we are asymptomatic. Even if we are high risk - if we don't feel safe, we are supposed to contact HR. I told them I have asthma and need to wear a mask for my own protection. I even sewed my own mask. They said no and will not allow me to wear my home-sewn mask (I made a pocket to insert a surgical mask so I still get the droplet protection and can sanitize the fabric mask at home by boiling it.) I'm not sure how to proceed from here.
What is their rationale for not allowing you to wear your own mask? That is awful.
We just got directive from our health state department that outpatients should not be tested at all. PPE needs to be reserved for hospitalized patients so shouldn't waste testing or testing supplies on people that don't require hospitalization. This includes for healthcare workers and any other first responders.
They also said that there is no good evidence that nsaids or acei worsen illness so people should continue to take their routine medications as directed.
I really debated whether I should test or not since I didn't need to hospitalized. I did it because if its negative I can be back at work 48 hours earlier and I wanted to be able to notify people I was around.
We are so behind other countries in testing, it's just crazy. It's not just the treatment, it's trying to contain the spread!
Well, it happened today. We were told we're not allowed to wear masks on the floor anymore if we are asymptomatic. Even if we are high risk - if we don't feel safe, we are supposed to contact HR. I told them I have asthma and need to wear a mask for my own protection. I even sewed my own mask. They said no and will not allow me to wear my home-sewn mask (I made a pocket to insert a surgical mask so I still get the droplet protection and can sanitize the fabric mask at home by boiling it.) I'm not sure how to proceed from here.
Is this around viral/COVID patients? Or just in a clinic/hallway? I don't think my hospital will ever allow homemade masks, but who knows
I don't want to share a lot here, but what I'm hearing and being told to do is insane.
I think we will be issued a shelter in place order in the next couple of days in my state.
wanderingback I hope, although that sounds awful, that what you are feeling is a bit of anxiety and not symptoms. tacocat I hope you are on the road to better.
I don't want to share a lot here, but what I'm hearing and being told to do is insane.
This is where I am.
I work for two different systems. They have similar responses. I am so uncomfortable. This is insane. I hope one day there is a large exposé and people are held responsible.
fryjack2 - thank you! I'm starting to turn the corner I think . I haven't been in a few days but my co-workers are making me nervous what I'm coming back to.
Saudade - I agree with you, people are not going to come out of this looking good.
Post by wanderingback on Mar 20, 2020 19:16:02 GMT -5
Our virtual match party was a success. So nice to "meet" the incoming interns. So far I feel supported by my organization although things are changing quickly. I’m so sorry for anyone else who is having challenges at their workplace. This seems like it can definitely bring out the worse in people/organizations unfortunately :/
Since we’ve changed our schedules I’m off till Monday, so I’m hoping I can have a relaxing weekend of yoga at home and reading for pleasure.
Well, it happened today. We were told we're not allowed to wear masks on the floor anymore if we are asymptomatic. Even if we are high risk - if we don't feel safe, we are supposed to contact HR. I told them I have asthma and need to wear a mask for my own protection. I even sewed my own mask. They said no and will not allow me to wear my home-sewn mask (I made a pocket to insert a surgical mask so I still get the droplet protection and can sanitize the fabric mask at home by boiling it.) I'm not sure how to proceed from here.
What is their rationale for not allowing you to wear your own mask? That is awful.
My system is also disallowing employees from wearing masks in non-covid/flu/droplet rooms. The rationale is that wearing the same mask room to room is carrying particles between patients. If staff lowers the mask when they step out of the patient room, any infectious material is dangling just below your mouth/nose increasing risk to staff. 🙄 Some people just don't have good "cough etiquette" despite why they are coughing and we are not allowed to use discretion.
There was also comments from our director that seeing staff in masks is "scary" for patients and visitors (visitors are banned as of Monday so that is a moot point now). Update from upper admin today was that you may wear a mask for personal reasons if approved by employee health (if you have non-covid respiratory issues) or with medical documentation (h/o asthma or some such reason).
ETA: With the very real fear of diminishing PPE and the CDC noting that reusing masks/gowns is inevitable I am surprised that they are cracking down on disposing masks between each patient encounter, even with the same patient.
Sorry for the wordy response on the tag seeyalater52, this is just the tip of the iceberg of why I'm losing confidence in my system to keep us safe.
What is their rationale for not allowing you to wear your own mask? That is awful.
My system is also disallowing employees from wearing masks in non-covid/flu/droplet rooms. The rationale is that wearing the same mask room to room is carrying particles between patients. If staff lowers the mask when they step out of the patient room, any infectious material is dangling just below your mouth/nose increasing risk to staff. 🙄 Some people just don't have good "cough etiquette" despite why they are coughing and we are not allowed to use discretion.
There was also comments from our director that seeing staff in masks is "scary" for patients and visitors (visitors are banned as of Monday so that is a moot point now). Update from upper admin today was that you may wear a mask for personal reasons if approved by employee health (if you have non-covid respiratory issues) or with medical documentation (h/o asthma or some such reason).
ETA: With the very real fear of diminishing PPE and the CDC noting that reusing masks/gowns is inevitable I am surprised that they are cracking down on disposing masks between each patient encounter, even with the same patient.
Sorry for the wordy response on the tag @seeyoulater52, this is just the tip of the iceberg of why I'm losing confidence in my system to keep us safe.
Your hospital’s policy makes sense to me. The other poster’s less so. SO many hospitals seem to be instructing frontline staff to reuse PPE, and especially for someone with a documented respiratory issue it seems dangerous not to allow them any protection.
If you have a condition that makes you more susceptible to complications if you get covid19, you may want to look at your personal finances and see if you can take an FMLA leave. You probably wouldn’t qualify for std since there is work available to you, but OSHA says employers should not put workers in imminent danger.
Now, if it is just taking care of regular patients, depending on the invasiveness of the type of nursing you do, consider whether it is greater imminent danger than going to the grocery store if it is in your community like in Houston. That will depend on the kind of care you give and infection control experts would have to advise on that.
But if you are being asked to care for suspected patients You could request FMLA for your own protection so you are not working in imminent danger without PPE.
It is true that there isn’t enough PPE nationally. It is scary as F. Homemade masks may theoretically protect YOU but probably won’t, and they create a real infection control danger to patients if they get contaminated and you go into another patient’s room or walk around wearing it outside the infected patient’s room in general.
This is a terrifying clusterF now that supplies are dwindling and manufacturers can’t keep up.
FEMA just took over the Drive thru testing site in Houston where there was full PPE, prioritization of testing healthcare workers, the major health systems were there with Epic electronic medical records and Rapid testing results.
FEMA is using paper charts and tests that will take 5 days to get results and allegedly less effective PPE.
Government just took over and made it less efficient, putting the community at greater risk of it spreading.
FEMA just took over the Drive thru testing site in Houston where there was full PPE, prioritization of testing healthcare workers, the major health systems were there with Epic electronic medical records and Rapid testing results.
FEMA is using paper charts and tests that will take 5 days to get results and allegedly less effective PPE.
Government just took over and made it less efficient, putting the community at greater risk of it spreading.
That is awful.
Can your hospital system just set up it's own test site?
FEMA just took over the Drive thru testing site in Houston where there was full PPE, prioritization of testing healthcare workers, the major health systems were there with Epic electronic medical records and Rapid testing results.
FEMA is using paper charts and tests that will take 5 days to get results and allegedly less effective PPE.
Government just took over and made it less efficient, putting the community at greater risk of it spreading.
That is awful.
Can your hospital system just set up it's own test site?
we had set up a test site with the 3-4 other major players and it was working effectively. FEMA came in and took over that one. We don’t know what that means for creating additional sites but if we can’t set up our own similar to what took 5 days to set up in the first place, I know we will set up something for our own employees. Have to stay tuned. We have plenty of locations with valet drop offs that could be repurposed so we will do something for our own people for sure.
Texas Med Center scientists have been working for some time on more efficient and effective tests as well to try to create faster testing options. Thank God for them. We’ll see what they come up with.
We will take care of our people. In spite of the government it seems.
If you have a condition that makes you more susceptible to complications if you get covid19 . . . Now, if it is just taking care of regular patients, that isn’t anymore imminent danger than going to the grocery store if it is in your community like in Houston. .
This doesn’t make sense to me regarding risk.
I’d argue that a good number of immunocompromised people aren’t going to the grocery store at all, let alone for 40 hours a week. And we have to assume there are several undiagnosed cases in the inpatient population particularly for areas with community spread and limited testing capability. When I go to the grocery store, I sure as hell am not providing oropharyngeal suctioning, feeding, and touching everyone around me.