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PPE

By Jill Winston posted 04-04-2020 08:56 AM

  
How many of your are working in psychiatric facilities? Are you using PPE there? Are they having the patient do social distancing?  I was working at a facility and there was no protection for the patients or the nurses. In addition to a mental health assessment, we also do a physical assessment.  I had patients coughing unintentionally on or around me, and started to feel ill. First with extreme joint pain, then gastric symptoms such as stomach cramping, nausea, and diarrhea all night. I then had a sore throat headache, and my glands in my throat really hurt, so I stayed home and self isolated. I still have a sore throat and am easily fatigued, but was never tested, because it is just too difficult to do.  I am wondering what steps your facilities are taking to protect you and their patients.
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04-08-2020 11:14 AM

i am feeling better, thank you Linda, but  I have not yet returned to the job.

04-08-2020 11:14 AM

i am feeling better, thank you Linda, but  I have not yet returned to the job.

04-08-2020 12:29 AM

Jill, I hope you are improving.  This is a critical issue and the usual - psych unit patients and clinicians and facilities are the last on the list of priorities.  Even when people with neuropsychiatric illnesses are among the most at risk individuals.  Our organization is considering making masks to donate to facilities.