Labelling patient requests by "DANGER OF INFECTION LABELS" is inappropriate.
It will cause an uncorrect feeling of safety, i.e. patients without such a
label might be treated differently. Since "DANGER OF INFECTION" might be
applicable for every patient, I think that every patient should be treated
as such. Therefore, we pose our employees at an additional risk by labelling
patients with known infectious diseases.
Dr. A. J. Bakker, Klinisch chemicus,
St. Klinisch Chemisch Laboratorium,
Postbus 850,
8901 BR LEEUWARDEN.
Tel.: 058-2888444
Fax: 058-2882227
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: Peter Stromberg [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Verzonden: maandag 16 oktober 2000 15:57
> Aan: [log in to unmask]
> Onderwerp: DANGEROUS BLOOD SAMPLES
>
> Some advice from my colleagues out there please.
> As the years go by we are seeing an increasing number of IV drug abusers
> in our wards with all the problems they cause.The phlebotomists always get
> very upset when these patients are not identified by "DANGER OF INFECTION
> LABELS" on the request forms.The clinicians seem to take very little
> interest in
> this problem saying that we should treat every specimen as potentially
> dangerous.The infection control people just shrug their shoulders.Do
> members insist that such patients be identified.Are they any different
> from patients with diarrhoea or MRSA positive patients ?Are we in breach
> of the Health and Safety At Work Act by not giving employees adequate
> enough
> information to do their jobs in a safe manner?I dont insist that
> phlebotomists wear gloves in all occasions.I believe there are arguments
> for and against gloves.
> On the same theme IV drugs abusers present phlebotomists with
> considerable technical problems in addition to infection risks.Does Near
> Patient Testing have any role here?
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