topic Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol in Wellness

I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

Desert Lily — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 21:07:32 GMT

I went to an urgent care a couple days ago for an injury. Several people in the waiting room had nasty coughs. This morning I awoke with a bad cold/flu, fever, chills, headache. Now when I cough, I get an extra pain twinge in my injury. I haven't left the house since I went to uc, nor for days preceeding. Set standards at all urgent care facilities should separate "sick/contagious" from others. Even putting up a screen to divide the waiting area may have helped. And protocol should include sanitizning every item that patients touch in common, from the sign-in pens to the finger cover for the oxygen test to the room's door knobs to the chair seats. I keep hand sanitizer in my handbag, but I can't control what germs people spew in the air. Had I known, I would've worn a mask. Pediatricians here have separate areas for contagious chilren; even vets separate the pets. I went to urgent care for relief, and now feel worse due to a germ-infested uc office with no set standards or infection-control protocol. IMO it's unacceptable practices.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

Kachina624 — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 21:14:38 GMT

The clinic where my doctor practices has masks in dispensers in the waiting area. You can just help yourself.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

CelticCrafter — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 21:20:40 GMT

@Desert Lily wrote:
I went to an urgent care a couple days ago for an injury. Several people in the waiting room had nasty coughs. This morning I awoke with a bad cold/flu, fever, chills, headache. Now when I cough, I get an extra pain twinge in my injury. I haven't left the house since I went to uc, nor for days preceeding. Set standards at all urgent care facilities should separate "sick/contagious" from others. Even putting up a screen to divide the waiting area may have helped. And protocol should include sanitizning every item that patients touch in common, from the sign-in pens to the finger cover for the oxygen test to the room's door knobs to the chair seats. I keep hand sanitizer in my handbag, but I can't control what germs people spew in the air. Had I known, I would've worn a mask. Pediatricians here have separate areas for contagious chilren; even vets separate the pets. I went to urgent care for relief, and now feel worse due to a germ-infested uc office with no set standards or infection-control protocol. IMO it's unacceptable practices.

I use my own pen at the bank, etc., don't take my gloves off if I'm at the grocery store - this way it's easier to remember not to touch my face, take them off to get my car key out of my pocket, put the key back in my pocket and then put them back on. Once I get in the car, they come off before I touch the steering wheel.

When my daughter was little, her pediatrician not only had a separate room for the cantagious kids, he had a separate entrance too.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

Lilysmom — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 21:22:25 GMT

@Desert Lily , I am sorry this happened to you. I agree with you. To go with an unrelated illness and come home with the latest virus is so disappointing.

The flu is on full force now. Our health centres are telling people with the flu not to go to emergency. They are extablishing separate centres for the flu outbreak.

I am in Canada. I now have a huge dread of flying during winter because it is almost impossible not to pick up some bug. So...if

i can't drive (and we have no problem driving long distances), I have been staying put through the winter. I love to book aisle seats for DH and I and now I read they are the worst for germs as people handle the seats on their way up and down the aisle. 🙄

I hope you are feeling better soon. LM

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

geezerette — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 21:22:41 GMT

I went to my doctor several weeks ago with flu symptoms. As soon as I explained this to the receptionist she handed me a mask and told me to put it on. She said all patients with flu-like symptoms are required to wear them in their office.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

sunshine45 — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 21:22:42 GMT

my pediatrician never had a separate area for those who came in sick. i guess you could stand outside or wait in your car and have them call you when it was your turn. she had three rooms to see children. i probably would not have known if the child before mine that was in the exam room was there and sick or was there for a wellness checkup.

my vet does not have a separate area for animals who are sick.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

fthunt — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 21:34:21 GMT

It's the doorknobs that get you - grocery cart handles - etc. You can't wash your hands there & then rub your nose or eye.....boom you just got infected.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

Kachina624 — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 21:53:08 GMT

I've been using nothing but Walmart's grocery shopping service for the past 2 months to avoid going in the store, handling carts, etc. All.i see is the boy who brings them out into the open air, and I don't get close to him.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

Anonymous032819 — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 21:53:29 GMT

At my urgent care, there is a box of masks and a sign that says that if you are coughing, to please wear a mask.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

SilleeMee — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 22:06:14 GMT

I think whenever you are going to go to any healthcare facility then you should expect to be with other sick people there. Personally I would make a plan before leaving the house. Bring some of your own 'infection control' stuff with you. I like to pop a zinc lozenge in my mouth and swab my nasal openings with zinc also. Arm yourself like you are going in for battle. I just did that a few weeks ago when I had to be in a huge room full of people for jury duty.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

jackthebear — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 22:08:37 GMT

@Desert Lily wrote:
I went to an urgent care a couple days ago for an injury. Several people in the waiting room had nasty coughs. This morning I awoke with a bad cold/flu, fever, chills, headache. Now when I cough, I get an extra pain twinge in my injury. I haven't left the house since I went to uc, nor for days preceeding. Set standards at all urgent care facilities should separate "sick/contagious" from others. Even putting up a screen to divide the waiting area may have helped. And protocol should include sanitizning every item that patients touch in common, from the sign-in pens to the finger cover for the oxygen test to the room's door knobs to the chair seats. I keep hand sanitizer in my handbag, but I can't control what germs people spew in the air. Had I known, I would've worn a mask. Pediatricians here have separate areas for contagious chilren; even vets separate the pets. I went to urgent care for relief, and now feel worse due to a germ-infested uc office with no set standards or infection-control protocol. IMO it's unacceptable practices.

you should address this with the Urgent CAre company,

using social media, it is a great way to get attention to an issue

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

GCR18 — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 23:15:08 GMT

Definitely contact the center and mention this. The office I go to has a separate area for flu symptoms, no symptoms. Plus you get a mask when you check in if you're there for flu symptoms. The masks though are available for anyone.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 23:16:21 GMT

@Desert Lily wrote:
I went to an urgent care a couple days ago for an injury. Several people in the waiting room had nasty coughs. This morning I awoke with a bad cold/flu, fever, chills, headache. Now when I cough, I get an extra pain twinge in my injury. I haven't left the house since I went to uc, nor for days preceeding. Set standards at all urgent care facilities should separate "sick/contagious" from others. Even putting up a screen to divide the waiting area may have helped. And protocol should include sanitizning every item that patients touch in common, from the sign-in pens to the finger cover for the oxygen test to the room's door knobs to the chair seats. I keep hand sanitizer in my handbag, but I can't control what germs people spew in the air. Had I known, I would've worn a mask. Pediatricians here have separate areas for contagious chilren; even vets separate the pets. I went to urgent care for relief, and now feel worse due to a germ-infested uc office with no set standards or infection-control protocol. IMO it's unacceptable practices.

@Desert Lily

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

I don't know if you went to a large facility or a tiny little clinic, but they must have some sort of website. I would suggest an email or letter directed to the Administrator and complain about the situation you found on your visit. Include contact information so they can reach you after checking how things are being done.

Just like any other service provider for the public, the people who run them don't want negative referrals out there. You described the situation perfectly; now they need to have this brought to their attention.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

rms1954 — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 01:48:11 GMT

Yesterday I had to go to urgent care. I had a head injury and was bleeding. The waiting room was full and everyone had a mask on. I waited and waited, head pounding. Others came in with flu symptoms and were told to put on masks. An hour went by. Others that came in after me were taken in to see the doctor (only one on duty). Another hour went by, more incoming and they were also taken in before me. Finally my name was called and I went in and was put in an individual room. Waited another hour. I could see more people come in and the doctor saw them before me. Finally I began to cry and could not hold up my head much longer it hurt so bad. My husband went and asked how much longer it would be. The PA said they would check and be right back. Another 20 minutes and I said "that's it, I'm leaving." So we left. I was so disgusted. I cleaned off the wound best I could and my husband put polysporin on it. What an awful day. Never again. If I end up with the flu I'll be extremely upset.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

SeaMaiden — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 02:06:18 GMT

@rms1954 Wow, what a horrible experience 😧🙁. I’m so sorry....Hope you are feeling ok. How did you cut your head?

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

hckynut — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 03:42:21 GMT

@Kachina624

All my doctors also have masks readily available in their offices. For any procedure I have had done, be it the "Procedure Center" where you check in, or the "Diagnostic Center", for specific procedures, all have masks available.

Most of my many procedures were done at the hospital I lovingly, call my "2nd home". The same is true in their ER, where I also unfortunately have spent way too much time. Certain facilities can only do so much, the rest, in my opinion, is up to each individual.

hckynut

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

rms1954 — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 03:56:28 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@rms1954 Wow, what a horrible experience 😧🙁. I’m so sorry....Hope you are feeling ok. How did you cut your head?

Thanks I just had a really bad headache all day. It was a chore getting all the matted blood in my hair. I was cleaning out a pantry closet and there was a plastic bag with three of those heavy plastic Ninja containers. They fell and hit the back of my head. I was bending over to pick up something and they came tumbling down. There was so much blood I thought for sure I split my head open. The cut was about two inches. I probably should have had a couple stitches or staples. I guess when you cut your head it bleeds a lot worse than what it is. Still had to pay the co-pay. My husband had a fit.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

Alison Wonderland — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 16:33:40 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I think whenever you are going to go to any healthcare facility then you should expect to be with other sick people there. Personally I would make a plan before leaving the house. Bring some of your own 'infection control' stuff with you. I like to pop a zinc lozenge in my mouth and swab my nasal openings with zinc also. Arm yourself like you are going in for battle. I just did that a few weeks ago when I had to be in a huge room full of people for jury duty.

This.

My doctor's offices have hand sanitizer and masks available. I use hand sanitizer before and after I sign anything with a pen and again on my way out.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

goldensrbest — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 19:07:46 GMT

I carry latex gloves in my car, i wear them when i do things ,like filling up with gas.

Re: I Think There Needs to be Set Standards & Protocol

CrazyDaisy — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 19:11:46 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I think whenever you are going to go to any healthcare facility then you should expect to be with other sick people there. Personally I would make a plan before leaving the house. Bring some of your own 'infection control' stuff with you. I like to pop a zinc lozenge in my mouth and swab my nasal openings with zinc also. Arm yourself like you are going in for battle. I just did that a few weeks ago when I had to be in a huge room full of people for jury duty.

Exactly, take control of your situation.