topic Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield... in Community Chat

Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

chiclet — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 10:23:07 GMT

When I called to schedule my mammo at the imaging center where I always go, I asked about how they were handling the virus....She said the tech wore mask and face shield and told all the precautions taken. I got there and place was crowded and chairs were spaced out but you could not get checked in and be 6 feet from anyone. When I first go there the person checking temps was getting coffee some went in without the check. She had on a mask but pulled below her nose. The tech only wore a mask to do my mammo. with no face shield. I had on a mask but I felt very vunerable being that close to her face. If I had not put this off so long already I would have just left and not done test and called the hospital administrator. This was in Florida the second worst state for the virus.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

jackthebear — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 10:42:51 GMT

did you say something

to anyone there

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

Tadaki — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 10:55:43 GMT

This is very disappointing to hear, especially if the imaging center is in a hospital. I will say that if you took all the precautions -- face mask, distancing as much as possible, and hand sanitizing -- I think you will be ok. And they were wearing masks. But even after the pandemic, I would find another imaging center and never go there again. They are not professionals.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

picco — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 11:26:18 GMT

I would have left immediately. If they're not following basic precautions right from the minute you walk in the door, who knows how well they're cleaning the machines between patients. That was a high risk experience.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

Puppy Lips — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 11:27:41 GMT

I have been to several different doctors and a hospital (for my mom) in central FL and they all have been extremely cautious about the virus. If the tech and you both had a mask on, I think it highly unlikely the virus would pass through.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

KCDiva — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 11:50:48 GMT

I had a mammogram recently and felt very comfortable especially with the closeness of the tech and myself. However I went to the doctor this week and they do not wear masks nor are patients required to. They do take your temperature when you enter the office. I don't know about any special cleaning in between appointments. My dentist and eye doctors all follow all the protocols for masking and cleaning. If you ask prior to your appointment they will note that you want the doctor to wear a mask. I always wear a mask and will continue to. I don't think taking a perons's temperature is adequate in determining if someone has covid.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

tends2dogs — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 12:18:21 GMT

@chiclet wrote:
When I called to schedule my mammo at the imaging center where I always go, I asked about how they were handling the virus....She said the tech wore mask and face shield and told all the precautions taken. I got there and place was crowded and chairs were spaced out but you could not get checked in and be 6 feet from anyone. When I first go there the person checking temps was getting coffee some went in without the check. She had on a mask but pulled below her nose. The tech only wore a mask to do my mammo. with no face shield. I had on a mask but I felt very vunerable being that close to her face. If I had not put this off so long already I would have just left and not done test and called the hospital administrator. This was in Florida the second worst state for the virus.

@chiclet I am sorry to hear this was your experience for your mammo in Florida. I have to think this was an isolated incident (facility). I agreee, that I think you will be okay. If you are worried, you could always call your doctor, report the incident and ask for a Covid test. If it would put your mind at ease, you should do it. It isn't worth worrying over it.

Since April, my husband went to 3 different dentists several times, to the eye doctor, and the walk in 3 times in Florida. Every time the personal were gowned up, masked up, with face shields.

Like I said, I think this was an isolated case. Please let your doctor know.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

Lucky Dog — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 12:28:03 GMT

A face shield protects the wearer.

A mask helps protect others (and you).

If the tech was wearing a shield without a mask, then I would be concerned.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

CelticCrafter — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 12:36:14 GMT

@chiclet wrote:
When I called to schedule my mammo at the imaging center where I always go, I asked about how they were handling the virus....She said the tech wore mask and face shield and told all the precautions taken. I got there and place was crowded and chairs were spaced out but you could not get checked in and be 6 feet from anyone. When I first go there the person checking temps was getting coffee some went in without the check. She had on a mask but pulled below her nose. The tech only wore a mask to do my mammo. with no face shield. I had on a mask but I felt very vunerable being that close to her face. If I had not put this off so long already I would have just left and not done test and called the hospital administrator. This was in Florida the second worst state for the virus.

Hindsight is 20/20 but that should have been your first hint to turn around and leave. Unless it was for something other than a routine check it could have waited.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

Azcowgirl — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 15:33:03 GMT

My mamo was Tuesday at the hospital imaging center, and

there were very few people there. Everyone was masked. The only time I felt uncomfortable was when I had to hold my breath during part of the imaging. Wearing a mask and having to hold my breath was harder. I feel like I'm suffocating sometimes while mask wearing.😷

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

Suziepeach — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 15:48:05 GMT

@chiclet please contact the manager of the Imaging Center and voice your complaints. Being a former mammographer that's what I'd tell my patients if anything came up they had complaint about.

You are the patient and have rights- please contact them so there's more awareness and it won't happen again.. Had the mammographer not had on a face shield and it was me, I'd cancel my appointment.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

tarsmom — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 16:30:45 GMT

I'm in MI - had mine about a month ago. Not sure if she had a shield but she wore a mask. I didn't disrobe in a private stall like I usually do. She just left the room while I put on the gown.

Our health system always sends a survey after any procedure - hopefully yours does as well. I would definitely let them know about this. "they can't fix it if they don't know about it."

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

SeaMaiden — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 16:56:05 GMT

@chiclet I would have left immediately....you risked your life to MAYBE save your life....questionable....I would have called the clinic and told them why you left and your concerns

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

Katrinka23 — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 18:36:06 GMT

Last week I had a molar extracted. The oral surgeon and his two assistants wore only N95 masks. This week when I went for blood work the technician was covered from head to toe (including head and shoe coverings) and also a face shield. I asked the oral surgeon about the lack of other protection and he said the mask was enough. I think I got the right mask number. It looked just like mine. I am not concerned.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

ID2 — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 18:40:48 GMT

OP, this wouldn't have bothered me in the least. But ,I'm one of "them" that feel that we are all over reacting about this crisis. Trust me, you'll be fine. Life will go on.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

Vivian — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 18:55:16 GMT

I got my mammogram last Tuesday. Everything went well and I felt safe. All the people at the center were properly attired. However, living in a university town, where many thousands of students are now returning and quarantining, I shall cancel a few doctor appointments because I refuse to go out and about when Covid may be out there. As a senior citizen with asthma, and with a husband who is pre-diabetic with Alzheimer's, I need to weigh the risk of certain decisions.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

LuvmyLab — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 19:01:52 GMT

@KCDiva Every doctor's appt I have been to they take my temperature as I walk in the door, you can't get past them without it. All the medical receptionists, assistants and the MD's themselves all have worn masks. Patients are also required to wear masks or they cannot get into the building and chairs are spaced 6 feet apart. When I have my mammogram in October I will make sure I face the opposite way of the technician even with a mask on. I am glad that in the State of Washington they are taking such good precautions.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

Vivian — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 19:14:45 GMT

I too have had my temperature taken, for my own appointments plus my husband's. I have no objection to it but the results are meaningless. Last year I had bacterial pneumonia and never had any fever. I presume Covid can also present with normal temperature. Sometimes I think that the medical professionals are so hamstrung by loony policies that they have to find something to make us feel they are doing something.

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

hckynut — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 19:27:45 GMT

I have been to my 2nd home, the hospital, 5 times since the ***** was a concern. I go to Hematology, which is combined with the Cancer Center. I know from my own experience that this is where Radiation and Chemo are also done.

My visits are primarily to see a nurse for my monthly B-12 shot. I however have also seen my Hemotolohist and his PA, along with the Phlebotomist that has drawn my blood twice during those visits. And also the person at the desk that checks you in.

To this day I have yet to see anyone wearing a face shield or goggles, nor have I. For blood draws/health checkups/Injections, 6' apart, really? At 81, along with multiple underlying health conditions, is there a higher risk category of which I am not aware? I have stated my opinion many times here, and in the Wellness Forum, will leave it at that!

Now there is hand sanitizer where you enter the hospital, mandatory you use it. There is hand sanitizer when you enter the Hematology Department and hand sanitizer when you are put into "the room".

I learned many decades ago that if I have a specific issue with any function, in which I am involved? What I have always done is get to the person/department or whatever entity can actually do something about my concerns. Not the closest person(s) or those waiting in the same room.

Used to listen to co-workers complain about many things. My standard reply? "Tell somebody that can do something about it for you, and that somebody, is not me". What's different here? I have no idea.

hckynut 🏒

Re: Finally got my mammogram...no face shield...

suzyQ3 — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 21:00:10 GMT

@ID2 wrote:
OP, this wouldn't have bothered me in the least. But ,I'm one of "them" that feel that we are all over reacting about this crisis. Trust me, you'll be fine. Life will go on.

@ID2, life will NOT go on for 167,546 deceased and counting in the U.S.

And we have 5,285,546 cases and counting in the U.S.