Not Satisfied

Kelli

New member
Hello everyone,
There may be posts on this already but I wanted to know how you guys feel and how how handle things when you are not satisfied with your clinic protocals,etc.

Last time I went to clinic, I was less than trilled! I don't have cepacia but I was put on the cepacia hallway due to a multi-reisitant pseudo. that they say I've had for a long time ( but have never had to be on that hallway before.) So I wasn't happy about that, but I was also ticked that they never even called to tell me my results had changed. It is MY health and they don't think I need to be the first to know when things change. How do I get it across to them that it is my right to know when anything changes and I want to be informed ASAP.

Then last time I was in-patient, they said I cultured cepacia (I had never cultured it before). So I freaked out and we repeated the test which came back negative. However, when I was in-patient, I was directly across the hall from a cepacia patient. Doors are left open and you don't have to wear a mask when you are in your own room. So all kinds of air and air-borne germs can be floating around.

I've told the social worker and nurses that I'm not thrilled with the laid-back attitudes and they say they follow protocol but I'm not satisfied with that.

In fact, when I had to be on the cepacia hallway (and no offense to those of you who have cepacia, I'm just trying to protect myself) I talked to the PFT lady and she said "Well I use this PFT machine myself, if I didn't feel safe about it, I wouldn't use it." Great for you but you don't have CF so it makes no difference if you are exposed to most things or not. How dumb.

The big kicker is that I have a niece who also has CF and we see eachother all the time. We use many procautions when we spend time together, etc. And we are both seen at the same hospital, but the staff there doesn't seem to care that we could possibly infect one another if we aren't educated about changes in our status.

Have any of you dealt with this, and if so, how do you do it in a professional way. I am the one who takes care of myself and I am so careful and want to do the best I can so I can stay as healthy as long as possible. I just don't feel like they take the same seriousness when it comes to my health.
Please advise!
~Kelli
29 w/CF
 

Kelli

New member
Hello everyone,
There may be posts on this already but I wanted to know how you guys feel and how how handle things when you are not satisfied with your clinic protocals,etc.

Last time I went to clinic, I was less than trilled! I don't have cepacia but I was put on the cepacia hallway due to a multi-reisitant pseudo. that they say I've had for a long time ( but have never had to be on that hallway before.) So I wasn't happy about that, but I was also ticked that they never even called to tell me my results had changed. It is MY health and they don't think I need to be the first to know when things change. How do I get it across to them that it is my right to know when anything changes and I want to be informed ASAP.

Then last time I was in-patient, they said I cultured cepacia (I had never cultured it before). So I freaked out and we repeated the test which came back negative. However, when I was in-patient, I was directly across the hall from a cepacia patient. Doors are left open and you don't have to wear a mask when you are in your own room. So all kinds of air and air-borne germs can be floating around.

I've told the social worker and nurses that I'm not thrilled with the laid-back attitudes and they say they follow protocol but I'm not satisfied with that.

In fact, when I had to be on the cepacia hallway (and no offense to those of you who have cepacia, I'm just trying to protect myself) I talked to the PFT lady and she said "Well I use this PFT machine myself, if I didn't feel safe about it, I wouldn't use it." Great for you but you don't have CF so it makes no difference if you are exposed to most things or not. How dumb.

The big kicker is that I have a niece who also has CF and we see eachother all the time. We use many procautions when we spend time together, etc. And we are both seen at the same hospital, but the staff there doesn't seem to care that we could possibly infect one another if we aren't educated about changes in our status.

Have any of you dealt with this, and if so, how do you do it in a professional way. I am the one who takes care of myself and I am so careful and want to do the best I can so I can stay as healthy as long as possible. I just don't feel like they take the same seriousness when it comes to my health.
Please advise!
~Kelli
29 w/CF
 

Kelli

New member
Hello everyone,
There may be posts on this already but I wanted to know how you guys feel and how how handle things when you are not satisfied with your clinic protocals,etc.

Last time I went to clinic, I was less than trilled! I don't have cepacia but I was put on the cepacia hallway due to a multi-reisitant pseudo. that they say I've had for a long time ( but have never had to be on that hallway before.) So I wasn't happy about that, but I was also ticked that they never even called to tell me my results had changed. It is MY health and they don't think I need to be the first to know when things change. How do I get it across to them that it is my right to know when anything changes and I want to be informed ASAP.

Then last time I was in-patient, they said I cultured cepacia (I had never cultured it before). So I freaked out and we repeated the test which came back negative. However, when I was in-patient, I was directly across the hall from a cepacia patient. Doors are left open and you don't have to wear a mask when you are in your own room. So all kinds of air and air-borne germs can be floating around.

I've told the social worker and nurses that I'm not thrilled with the laid-back attitudes and they say they follow protocol but I'm not satisfied with that.

In fact, when I had to be on the cepacia hallway (and no offense to those of you who have cepacia, I'm just trying to protect myself) I talked to the PFT lady and she said "Well I use this PFT machine myself, if I didn't feel safe about it, I wouldn't use it." Great for you but you don't have CF so it makes no difference if you are exposed to most things or not. How dumb.

The big kicker is that I have a niece who also has CF and we see eachother all the time. We use many procautions when we spend time together, etc. And we are both seen at the same hospital, but the staff there doesn't seem to care that we could possibly infect one another if we aren't educated about changes in our status.

Have any of you dealt with this, and if so, how do you do it in a professional way. I am the one who takes care of myself and I am so careful and want to do the best I can so I can stay as healthy as long as possible. I just don't feel like they take the same seriousness when it comes to my health.
Please advise!
~Kelli
29 w/CF
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
I always request copies of the lab, culture & doctors notes from CF Clinic. Time and time again they call with "normal" and it turns out that's not the case. DS had cultured HIB a couple of times and I know of another parent who was told normal and it turned out her newborn was culturing staph.

We've stopped going to our regular CF clinic appointments -- primarily because of the community waiting room. We once walked out of the clinic and said we'd have to reschedule because we weren't comfortable with the crowd and excessive wait. Next time they got us into a room, asap, but next time it was the same thing. When we indicated we weren't comfortable with the situation, the doctor snapped at us that we send DS to daycare, so it shouldn't matter to us, besides they've never had a case of cepacia at their clinic...
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
I always request copies of the lab, culture & doctors notes from CF Clinic. Time and time again they call with "normal" and it turns out that's not the case. DS had cultured HIB a couple of times and I know of another parent who was told normal and it turned out her newborn was culturing staph.

We've stopped going to our regular CF clinic appointments -- primarily because of the community waiting room. We once walked out of the clinic and said we'd have to reschedule because we weren't comfortable with the crowd and excessive wait. Next time they got us into a room, asap, but next time it was the same thing. When we indicated we weren't comfortable with the situation, the doctor snapped at us that we send DS to daycare, so it shouldn't matter to us, besides they've never had a case of cepacia at their clinic...
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
I always request copies of the lab, culture & doctors notes from CF Clinic. Time and time again they call with "normal" and it turns out that's not the case. DS had cultured HIB a couple of times and I know of another parent who was told normal and it turned out her newborn was culturing staph.

We've stopped going to our regular CF clinic appointments -- primarily because of the community waiting room. We once walked out of the clinic and said we'd have to reschedule because we weren't comfortable with the crowd and excessive wait. Next time they got us into a room, asap, but next time it was the same thing. When we indicated we weren't comfortable with the situation, the doctor snapped at us that we send DS to daycare, so it shouldn't matter to us, besides they've never had a case of cepacia at their clinic...
 

CaliSally

New member
Isn't it CF foundation protocol that CF clinics adhere to stict germ control guidelines?

At our clinic there are masks and sanitizer for every patient. The waiting room is large enough that you don't have to sit next to someone else (but there is typically only one other person besides yourself, that is waiting).

Maybe check the Foundation website for Protocols and send a copy to your clinic.
I'm sure there are others with better suggestions and know more, but that is my two cents worth.

If your doctor infered that your (son?) could get the same thing from daycare, then he sounds like a loon. Yes, he could, however that isn't the point. The point is YOU don't want your son around KNOWN CFers...and the CF GUIDELINES SPELL THAT OUT - if he is a CF doctor, he should adhere to CF guidelines.

I don't know if there is a resouce to "turning in the doctor" but check into it.

P.S. use your elbow to press those elevator buttons!
 

CaliSally

New member
Isn't it CF foundation protocol that CF clinics adhere to stict germ control guidelines?

At our clinic there are masks and sanitizer for every patient. The waiting room is large enough that you don't have to sit next to someone else (but there is typically only one other person besides yourself, that is waiting).

Maybe check the Foundation website for Protocols and send a copy to your clinic.
I'm sure there are others with better suggestions and know more, but that is my two cents worth.

If your doctor infered that your (son?) could get the same thing from daycare, then he sounds like a loon. Yes, he could, however that isn't the point. The point is YOU don't want your son around KNOWN CFers...and the CF GUIDELINES SPELL THAT OUT - if he is a CF doctor, he should adhere to CF guidelines.

I don't know if there is a resouce to "turning in the doctor" but check into it.

P.S. use your elbow to press those elevator buttons!
 

CaliSally

New member
Isn't it CF foundation protocol that CF clinics adhere to stict germ control guidelines?

At our clinic there are masks and sanitizer for every patient. The waiting room is large enough that you don't have to sit next to someone else (but there is typically only one other person besides yourself, that is waiting).

Maybe check the Foundation website for Protocols and send a copy to your clinic.
I'm sure there are others with better suggestions and know more, but that is my two cents worth.

If your doctor infered that your (son?) could get the same thing from daycare, then he sounds like a loon. Yes, he could, however that isn't the point. The point is YOU don't want your son around KNOWN CFers...and the CF GUIDELINES SPELL THAT OUT - if he is a CF doctor, he should adhere to CF guidelines.

I don't know if there is a resouce to "turning in the doctor" but check into it.

P.S. use your elbow to press those elevator buttons!
 

Emily65Roses

New member
Oh well if the PFT tech uses it, then it's OBVIOUSLY okay!!!! What a twit. Do you have CF? No? Okay, then you using it dosn't mean JACK SH*T! Kay I'm done. That idiot comment just made me want to bash my head into a wall.
 

Emily65Roses

New member
Oh well if the PFT tech uses it, then it's OBVIOUSLY okay!!!! What a twit. Do you have CF? No? Okay, then you using it dosn't mean JACK SH*T! Kay I'm done. That idiot comment just made me want to bash my head into a wall.
 

Emily65Roses

New member
Oh well if the PFT tech uses it, then it's OBVIOUSLY okay!!!! What a twit. Do you have CF? No? Okay, then you using it dosn't mean JACK SH*T! Kay I'm done. That idiot comment just made me want to bash my head into a wall.
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
Our local clinic just became an accreditted CF facility. But don't think things have changed regarding germ protocol, etc. Last time (March) I got into an argument with the nurse because she wanted to play musical exam rooms -- we got situated in a room and then she said we had to switch. I walked ahead and there was already someone in there, so I refused.

The comment from the doctor as far as there not being any cepacia patients -- how would they know until after clinics what patients are culturing what bugs?
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
Our local clinic just became an accreditted CF facility. But don't think things have changed regarding germ protocol, etc. Last time (March) I got into an argument with the nurse because she wanted to play musical exam rooms -- we got situated in a room and then she said we had to switch. I walked ahead and there was already someone in there, so I refused.

The comment from the doctor as far as there not being any cepacia patients -- how would they know until after clinics what patients are culturing what bugs?
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
Our local clinic just became an accreditted CF facility. But don't think things have changed regarding germ protocol, etc. Last time (March) I got into an argument with the nurse because she wanted to play musical exam rooms -- we got situated in a room and then she said we had to switch. I walked ahead and there was already someone in there, so I refused.

The comment from the doctor as far as there not being any cepacia patients -- how would they know until after clinics what patients are culturing what bugs?
 

LouLou

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>CaliSally</b></i>

Isn't it CF foundation protocol that CF clinics adhere to stict germ control guidelines?

Yes and no Sally, there are guidelines but they are very loose and I wouldn't call them strict - not the way they are written or the way they are practiced/enforced. For example, the masks and sanitizer for each patient (and doctor?) that you mention are not CFF mandated, nor is gowning and gloving of patients or doctors. You can read all about it here...
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/resolve?id=doi:10.1086/503485
">http://www.journals.uchicago.e...id=doi:10.1086/503485
</a>You have to choose from one of the download options on the page.

The one that gets me is so they isolate cfers with the worse bugs but then when it's pft time - most clinics use the same machine.

What has to give for protocol to be a little more preventative. I have a feeling that they don't want to make it too unattractive to be in teh cf profession since there already isn't any money in the business they have to do what they can to keep doctors interested - ugh! It makes me sick.

Do you all realize our strength through this site - maybe we should rise up! I don't think I've ever seen a cf patient petition. hmmm.....
 

LouLou

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>CaliSally</b></i>

Isn't it CF foundation protocol that CF clinics adhere to stict germ control guidelines?

Yes and no Sally, there are guidelines but they are very loose and I wouldn't call them strict - not the way they are written or the way they are practiced/enforced. For example, the masks and sanitizer for each patient (and doctor?) that you mention are not CFF mandated, nor is gowning and gloving of patients or doctors. You can read all about it here...
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/resolve?id=doi:10.1086/503485
">http://www.journals.uchicago.e...id=doi:10.1086/503485
</a>You have to choose from one of the download options on the page.

The one that gets me is so they isolate cfers with the worse bugs but then when it's pft time - most clinics use the same machine.

What has to give for protocol to be a little more preventative. I have a feeling that they don't want to make it too unattractive to be in teh cf profession since there already isn't any money in the business they have to do what they can to keep doctors interested - ugh! It makes me sick.

Do you all realize our strength through this site - maybe we should rise up! I don't think I've ever seen a cf patient petition. hmmm.....
 

LouLou

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>CaliSally</b></i>

Isn't it CF foundation protocol that CF clinics adhere to stict germ control guidelines?

Yes and no Sally, there are guidelines but they are very loose and I wouldn't call them strict - not the way they are written or the way they are practiced/enforced. For example, the masks and sanitizer for each patient (and doctor?) that you mention are not CFF mandated, nor is gowning and gloving of patients or doctors. You can read all about it here...
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/resolve?id=doi:10.1086/503485
">http://www.journals.uchicago.e...id=doi:10.1086/503485
</a>You have to choose from one of the download options on the page.

The one that gets me is so they isolate cfers with the worse bugs but then when it's pft time - most clinics use the same machine.

What has to give for protocol to be a little more preventative. I have a feeling that they don't want to make it too unattractive to be in teh cf profession since there already isn't any money in the business they have to do what they can to keep doctors interested - ugh! It makes me sick.

Do you all realize our strength through this site - maybe we should rise up! I don't think I've ever seen a cf patient petition. hmmm.....
 

LouLou

New member
sorry that first link doesn't work - I can't find it on the web - PM me and I'll email it to you or contact CFF national office and ask them to email it to you. That's how I got it.
 

LouLou

New member
sorry that first link doesn't work - I can't find it on the web - PM me and I'll email it to you or contact CFF national office and ask them to email it to you. That's how I got it.
 
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