Picking up bugs in hospitals

Jennifer1981

New member
Great Topic!

I refuse to be in the hospital for clean-outs. Refuse!!!!

When I get admitted, I am in a pressurized, private room with isolation. I'm not even permitted to leave my room. In the end, my lungs actually feel worse than they were when I was admitted due to inactivity. At home, I never sit down. I do all my own cleaning, cooking, workouts, everything. In the hospital, I do nothing but sit on my ***. Even while in the hospital, my lungs drop largely after only a few days. I always feel worse. Then when I come home, it is that much harder for me to carry on with my day-to-day activities. And I usually get sick.

This past July I refused to go in the hospital for the clean-out. I did the whole 3 weeks at home. The first few days my husband helped a little, but it was so much better. I never got run down or sick. I even was on my treadmill the whole time and ran the IV's through without any assistance.

At Hershey Medical Center when you are admitted, CF'er are placed in different wings of the hospital based on the bacterias they are culturing. They are each given different nurses, physical therapists, and everything. I have MRSA and PA. I'm actually placed in one on the milder wings, yet I'm still considered contact isolation. It sucks.

I am 100% positive that you have more of a chance picking something up in the hospital or clinic then anywhere else that you can think of. For that reason, I go to clinic every 4 months and more frequently only when sick. I now refuse to be admitted into the hospital whenever possible. I hate it.

So far it's working for me. I do need help at home the first 4 days maybe. But after that, I am fine to carry things on without any assistance. Assistance with cooking and cleaning stuff. Basically, until I start to feel a little bit better and have a pattern.
 

Jennifer1981

New member
Great Topic!

I refuse to be in the hospital for clean-outs. Refuse!!!!

When I get admitted, I am in a pressurized, private room with isolation. I'm not even permitted to leave my room. In the end, my lungs actually feel worse than they were when I was admitted due to inactivity. At home, I never sit down. I do all my own cleaning, cooking, workouts, everything. In the hospital, I do nothing but sit on my ***. Even while in the hospital, my lungs drop largely after only a few days. I always feel worse. Then when I come home, it is that much harder for me to carry on with my day-to-day activities. And I usually get sick.

This past July I refused to go in the hospital for the clean-out. I did the whole 3 weeks at home. The first few days my husband helped a little, but it was so much better. I never got run down or sick. I even was on my treadmill the whole time and ran the IV's through without any assistance.

At Hershey Medical Center when you are admitted, CF'er are placed in different wings of the hospital based on the bacterias they are culturing. They are each given different nurses, physical therapists, and everything. I have MRSA and PA. I'm actually placed in one on the milder wings, yet I'm still considered contact isolation. It sucks.

I am 100% positive that you have more of a chance picking something up in the hospital or clinic then anywhere else that you can think of. For that reason, I go to clinic every 4 months and more frequently only when sick. I now refuse to be admitted into the hospital whenever possible. I hate it.

So far it's working for me. I do need help at home the first 4 days maybe. But after that, I am fine to carry things on without any assistance. Assistance with cooking and cleaning stuff. Basically, until I start to feel a little bit better and have a pattern.
 

Jennifer1981

New member
ONE POINT THAT I FORGOT!!!!!

I swear that I picked up MRSA at a clinic annual appointment. I had my annual in January. Everything was fine. I ONLY had PA. The very next month I got really sick and cultured MRSA. Go figure!!!!! My sister was not/has never cultured MRSA. I exposed the whole cancer clinic accidently and lost my job. I was not/am not a happy camper to this day. I am still a mild CF'er, but it ****** me off!
 

Jennifer1981

New member
ONE POINT THAT I FORGOT!!!!!

I swear that I picked up MRSA at a clinic annual appointment. I had my annual in January. Everything was fine. I ONLY had PA. The very next month I got really sick and cultured MRSA. Go figure!!!!! My sister was not/has never cultured MRSA. I exposed the whole cancer clinic accidently and lost my job. I was not/am not a happy camper to this day. I am still a mild CF'er, but it ****** me off!
 

Jennifer1981

New member
ONE POINT THAT I FORGOT!!!!!

I swear that I picked up MRSA at a clinic annual appointment. I had my annual in January. Everything was fine. I ONLY had PA. The very next month I got really sick and cultured MRSA. Go figure!!!!! My sister was not/has never cultured MRSA. I exposed the whole cancer clinic accidently and lost my job. I was not/am not a happy camper to this day. I am still a mild CF'er, but it ****** me off!
 

charl72

New member
Hiya-good thread! I freaked out a couple of weeks ago when my daughter was asked to go for her annual blood tests on the Childrens' Ward. I was amazed that she had to go their for them done. I tried all ways to get them done somewhere else, but unfortunately no alternative but to have them done at the Hospital. Really freaked me out and p*ssed me off.

Charlotte<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">
 

charl72

New member
Hiya-good thread! I freaked out a couple of weeks ago when my daughter was asked to go for her annual blood tests on the Childrens' Ward. I was amazed that she had to go their for them done. I tried all ways to get them done somewhere else, but unfortunately no alternative but to have them done at the Hospital. Really freaked me out and p*ssed me off.

Charlotte<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">
 

charl72

New member
Hiya-good thread! I freaked out a couple of weeks ago when my daughter was asked to go for her annual blood tests on the Childrens' Ward. I was amazed that she had to go their for them done. I tried all ways to get them done somewhere else, but unfortunately no alternative but to have them done at the Hospital. Really freaked me out and p*ssed me off.

Charlotte<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">
 

charl72

New member
Sorry, I can spell, spelt 'their' wrong - There. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
 

charl72

New member
Sorry, I can spell, spelt 'their' wrong - There. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
 

charl72

New member
Sorry, I can spell, spelt 'their' wrong - There. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
 

JustDucky

New member
I have found that some hospitals are better with infectious disease control than others. My local hospital never heard of B. cepacia until I was admitted there for pneumonia (very small non CF hospital). I was scared to death for my health, people would go in and out of my room, no isolation precautions and I had to demand that my nebs be tossed every day. Of course the RT's grumbled but I ddin't care. At another hospital, this one was a teaching hospital but not CFcenter, I was put in isolation, but the staff had to be reminded about tossing the cups, but I felt safer there. The last hospital I was in, was a CF center, were very srict..I mean they literally put you in an isolation room and toss away the room! You were not allowed to go out of the room unless it was for a test, even then precautions were taken. I was put on a different floor away from other cystics because of the cepacia. No one came in without gowns, my meds were kept in there, not in the usual med room and the room also had its own fridge for IV's and other refrigerated meds. I did feel safe there....the rooms were kept very clean, the neb cups were changed daily and they were cleaned with sterile water. I would go back there anytime for another cleanout. When I was discharged, everything in that room was thrown away (or taken home with me, like unopened supplies that I could use...reasoning being that it would be such a waste to toss them if I could use them. ) The room also had its own supply cart with linens, IV tubing, port needles, alcohol wipes etc so that the staff didn't have to go in and out finding stuff.
All in all, yes I am always vigilant as far as catching stuff. I get bugs so easily because of the trach, lately been growing out Flavobacterium species as well on top of my usuall cooties.
Hugs to all, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

JustDucky

New member
I have found that some hospitals are better with infectious disease control than others. My local hospital never heard of B. cepacia until I was admitted there for pneumonia (very small non CF hospital). I was scared to death for my health, people would go in and out of my room, no isolation precautions and I had to demand that my nebs be tossed every day. Of course the RT's grumbled but I ddin't care. At another hospital, this one was a teaching hospital but not CFcenter, I was put in isolation, but the staff had to be reminded about tossing the cups, but I felt safer there. The last hospital I was in, was a CF center, were very srict..I mean they literally put you in an isolation room and toss away the room! You were not allowed to go out of the room unless it was for a test, even then precautions were taken. I was put on a different floor away from other cystics because of the cepacia. No one came in without gowns, my meds were kept in there, not in the usual med room and the room also had its own fridge for IV's and other refrigerated meds. I did feel safe there....the rooms were kept very clean, the neb cups were changed daily and they were cleaned with sterile water. I would go back there anytime for another cleanout. When I was discharged, everything in that room was thrown away (or taken home with me, like unopened supplies that I could use...reasoning being that it would be such a waste to toss them if I could use them. ) The room also had its own supply cart with linens, IV tubing, port needles, alcohol wipes etc so that the staff didn't have to go in and out finding stuff.
All in all, yes I am always vigilant as far as catching stuff. I get bugs so easily because of the trach, lately been growing out Flavobacterium species as well on top of my usuall cooties.
Hugs to all, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

JustDucky

New member
I have found that some hospitals are better with infectious disease control than others. My local hospital never heard of B. cepacia until I was admitted there for pneumonia (very small non CF hospital). I was scared to death for my health, people would go in and out of my room, no isolation precautions and I had to demand that my nebs be tossed every day. Of course the RT's grumbled but I ddin't care. At another hospital, this one was a teaching hospital but not CFcenter, I was put in isolation, but the staff had to be reminded about tossing the cups, but I felt safer there. The last hospital I was in, was a CF center, were very srict..I mean they literally put you in an isolation room and toss away the room! You were not allowed to go out of the room unless it was for a test, even then precautions were taken. I was put on a different floor away from other cystics because of the cepacia. No one came in without gowns, my meds were kept in there, not in the usual med room and the room also had its own fridge for IV's and other refrigerated meds. I did feel safe there....the rooms were kept very clean, the neb cups were changed daily and they were cleaned with sterile water. I would go back there anytime for another cleanout. When I was discharged, everything in that room was thrown away (or taken home with me, like unopened supplies that I could use...reasoning being that it would be such a waste to toss them if I could use them. ) The room also had its own supply cart with linens, IV tubing, port needles, alcohol wipes etc so that the staff didn't have to go in and out finding stuff.
All in all, yes I am always vigilant as far as catching stuff. I get bugs so easily because of the trach, lately been growing out Flavobacterium species as well on top of my usuall cooties.
Hugs to all, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
When DS was in the NICU we were so cautious about handwashing, making sure I didn't set my purse down on the floor or counter... There were 3 other babies in his room, all preemies, while DS was full term recovering from bowel obstruction surgery.

I didn't know any better at the time, but the RTs would go from isolette to isolette doing CPT, suctioning, oxygen.... and while they washed their hands, time and time again they would cradle the children in the arms, on their chests to do treatments -- my MIL who years ago worked on the TB ward, mentioned this AFTER the fact, that she was surprised they didn't wear gowns and masks. They also had the community bottle of albuterol and vials of saline they kept in the pockets of their scrubs. Again when from bed to bed using the same one.

DS's release from the hospital was delayed several times 'cuz he kept getting infections. At one point they were afraid he had meningitis and he had to have a spinal tap. Came home after 6 weeks, but had a cough. Diagnosed with bronchitis and cultured enterbactor choclae (sp), common bug in NICUs caused by improper handwashing.

I'm terrified about him every being hospitalized locally 'cuz I think they still have shared rooms.
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
When DS was in the NICU we were so cautious about handwashing, making sure I didn't set my purse down on the floor or counter... There were 3 other babies in his room, all preemies, while DS was full term recovering from bowel obstruction surgery.

I didn't know any better at the time, but the RTs would go from isolette to isolette doing CPT, suctioning, oxygen.... and while they washed their hands, time and time again they would cradle the children in the arms, on their chests to do treatments -- my MIL who years ago worked on the TB ward, mentioned this AFTER the fact, that she was surprised they didn't wear gowns and masks. They also had the community bottle of albuterol and vials of saline they kept in the pockets of their scrubs. Again when from bed to bed using the same one.

DS's release from the hospital was delayed several times 'cuz he kept getting infections. At one point they were afraid he had meningitis and he had to have a spinal tap. Came home after 6 weeks, but had a cough. Diagnosed with bronchitis and cultured enterbactor choclae (sp), common bug in NICUs caused by improper handwashing.

I'm terrified about him every being hospitalized locally 'cuz I think they still have shared rooms.
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
When DS was in the NICU we were so cautious about handwashing, making sure I didn't set my purse down on the floor or counter... There were 3 other babies in his room, all preemies, while DS was full term recovering from bowel obstruction surgery.

I didn't know any better at the time, but the RTs would go from isolette to isolette doing CPT, suctioning, oxygen.... and while they washed their hands, time and time again they would cradle the children in the arms, on their chests to do treatments -- my MIL who years ago worked on the TB ward, mentioned this AFTER the fact, that she was surprised they didn't wear gowns and masks. They also had the community bottle of albuterol and vials of saline they kept in the pockets of their scrubs. Again when from bed to bed using the same one.

DS's release from the hospital was delayed several times 'cuz he kept getting infections. At one point they were afraid he had meningitis and he had to have a spinal tap. Came home after 6 weeks, but had a cough. Diagnosed with bronchitis and cultured enterbactor choclae (sp), common bug in NICUs caused by improper handwashing.

I'm terrified about him every being hospitalized locally 'cuz I think they still have shared rooms.
 

Jennifer1981

New member
Liza,

My hospital has it manditory that all CF Patients have their own rooms! There is no such thing when it comes to sharing. Look into that. Your hospital may have the same guidelines. Or maybe, you have to be a certain age.
 

Jennifer1981

New member
Liza,

My hospital has it manditory that all CF Patients have their own rooms! There is no such thing when it comes to sharing. Look into that. Your hospital may have the same guidelines. Or maybe, you have to be a certain age.
 

Jennifer1981

New member
Liza,

My hospital has it manditory that all CF Patients have their own rooms! There is no such thing when it comes to sharing. Look into that. Your hospital may have the same guidelines. Or maybe, you have to be a certain age.
 
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