Refusing to work with MRSA, C Diff etc.

[lendytexas]

I am a CNA and work with some residents who have MRSA and C Diff. I clean them on a regular basis. There are a couple of nurses who refuse to go in their room. They will say "I'll tell the nurse on the next shift to do that". Are they allowed to refuse to work with certain residents? I am just curious. I work with everyone, take precautions, even though I have an infant at home and worry about her health. Also, I am wondering just how contagious that MRSA is. Do healthcare workers ever become infected with it?

[sunniern]

Hi,

MRSA is a potent bug. It's usually the facilitys policy to use universal precautions. And of course, wash your hands. Hard to believe that nurses just refuse to care for these patients. Sure wouldn't want anyone I love staying there. As far as C Diff. it's the same U. P. People with compromised immune systems are more susceptible as in all illnesses with these people. MRSA is gaining strength in recent years though. Only a few years ago you only heard of it being in hospitals and nursing homes, now people in the community get it due to the germ becoming stronger or more virulent. I'd cover up any opening to the skin you may have as well.

sunnie

[hppygr8ful]

MRSA is a tuough bug as is C. Diff but once a nurse has accepted an assignment they must care for that patient. When I was in nursing school and pregnant I had a patient that had MRSA. I "wondered" to the infection control nurse if my baby/pregnacy would be a risk from working with this patient. I was told if I felt uncomfortable I coould get a different assignment.

The fact of the matter is that the CDC estimates that MRSA is now a community based infection and is everywhere. IF 100 people were taken randomly off the street and cultured 15 of them would most likely be positive for MRSA. So as I see it - working in a hospital with patients who you know have it as opposed to coming in contact with it in the community where people don't take precautions to protect themselves and others is less dangerous.

Just my humble opinion.

Hppy