southernbelle_amy
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2006
- Messages
- 359
I hope I can explain this. I am a PA (physician assistant) at a pediatric practice. Honestly every day I expose myself to various illness, without much hesitation. However, I am close to 6 months pregnant so some illness I try or the nurses try to avoid, but sometimes we are unaware until it is too late.
Well today there was a kid that is about 6 months old whose chief complaint was cold and cough symptoms. Well, I went into the room, and recognized the kid. He has a history of neonatal Herpes Simplex.
Before his grandmother could start I asked, "Is he the one with a history of Herpes?". She immediately got defensive and said, "yes, but that is not what he is here for he has ............ etc". I said well, "I really think it was be best for the doctor to see him because I am currently pregnant, and due to his history". She was still agitated and said how he did not have a current rash, was asking if I had chicken pox before. I again said that I could get the doctor to see him as soon as I could, and finally left the room. And I in no means just ran out of the room.
I told my doctor about this, and then she even recalled that 2-3 month previously, when I had seen this patient before, we had discussed how myself and the other PA who is also pregnant should not see him until after we deliver. We had discussed this with the grandmother and mom.
So the doctor goes in within 5 minutes and sees the patient. She says that GM was "offended" because I acted like he had some "disease". Yet she did remember, that she was suppose to only schedule with the Dr, but had forgot. So my doctor would like me to call her and apologize. Although, she isn't mad at me. (Which doesn't even bother me that much)
What bothers me, is that if I knew I had a serious illness that could negatively effect someone, there is no way I would expect them to see me. Now, would I probably get infected by this kid? Probably not, however, if I did, and the fetus did, it can cause encephalopathy, prematurity, and death. This is serious stuff so why risk it.
I am not even that mad at GM, but I just think it is a sad case of how selfish people can be, when we (Healthcare providers) are doing the best we can. I work where ~80% of the patients are Medicaid, and a lot of them do have a sense of "entitlement", like we are just there to serve them. I also thought about if something were to happen, it's not as though, she is going to pay for it or even care. Although, my tax money is helping paying for his treatment. (of course health care policy, is not what I want to debate). I try for my sanity and my patients to not become cynical, but in these situations it is very hard. Sorry this is so long, but it really just bothered me. Vent over.
Well today there was a kid that is about 6 months old whose chief complaint was cold and cough symptoms. Well, I went into the room, and recognized the kid. He has a history of neonatal Herpes Simplex.
Before his grandmother could start I asked, "Is he the one with a history of Herpes?". She immediately got defensive and said, "yes, but that is not what he is here for he has ............ etc". I said well, "I really think it was be best for the doctor to see him because I am currently pregnant, and due to his history". She was still agitated and said how he did not have a current rash, was asking if I had chicken pox before. I again said that I could get the doctor to see him as soon as I could, and finally left the room. And I in no means just ran out of the room.
I told my doctor about this, and then she even recalled that 2-3 month previously, when I had seen this patient before, we had discussed how myself and the other PA who is also pregnant should not see him until after we deliver. We had discussed this with the grandmother and mom.
So the doctor goes in within 5 minutes and sees the patient. She says that GM was "offended" because I acted like he had some "disease". Yet she did remember, that she was suppose to only schedule with the Dr, but had forgot. So my doctor would like me to call her and apologize. Although, she isn't mad at me. (Which doesn't even bother me that much)
What bothers me, is that if I knew I had a serious illness that could negatively effect someone, there is no way I would expect them to see me. Now, would I probably get infected by this kid? Probably not, however, if I did, and the fetus did, it can cause encephalopathy, prematurity, and death. This is serious stuff so why risk it.
I am not even that mad at GM, but I just think it is a sad case of how selfish people can be, when we (Healthcare providers) are doing the best we can. I work where ~80% of the patients are Medicaid, and a lot of them do have a sense of "entitlement", like we are just there to serve them. I also thought about if something were to happen, it's not as though, she is going to pay for it or even care. Although, my tax money is helping paying for his treatment. (of course health care policy, is not what I want to debate). I try for my sanity and my patients to not become cynical, but in these situations it is very hard. Sorry this is so long, but it really just bothered me. Vent over.