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View Full Version : Hospital Acquired MRSA. HIPAA Violations?


DoodleBug1
Aug 17, 2008, 10:10 PM
Hello Everyone, I am D. I am 48 years old, live alone in Northern CA. Divorced for 5 years now after a 25 year marriage.

I am an On The Job Injured Paramedic who has been 3 x's in the last 4 months. The 1st time for Initial Back Surgery, Then Hospital Acquired Pneumonia and then lastly for an EMERGENT removal of a seroma acquired during the initial surgery where Surgical Infectious Control Barriers were not followed. The surgery was Emergent because it could burst internally at any time and then would attack my blood, vital organs and possibly other extreme complication.

As a result of the breakdown in the surgical team to follow established Clinically Established Procedures set up to prevent infection during the initial surgery, I contracted MRSA. This has all been determined by the physicians who specialize in Infection Control at the hospital, which also happens to be my employer.

I am healing and it is taking a very long time. Once again I work for the hospital where this occurred and I REALLY LOVE my job and hope that I have the opportunity to return to it someday soon! I was NEVER told by my Physician, RN or any hospital staff that I had acquired MRSA. I was told by two visitors who came in to visit. One friend who asked why I had a sign on my door telling others to gown,glove and mask up prior to entry. She did none of those things.

A few moments later another friend came in and asked how long I knew I had MRSA? I said I did not have MRSA. He said that while he was at the Nurse's Station confirming my Room Number, he overhead the nurses discussing I had MRSA and that they had just had the Housekeeping Department put an Isolation Cart outside my room. This visitor did come and see me, but was gloved, gowned and wore a facemask. I had not been told at all from any RN's, Physicians or any other Staff. In fact my Physician discharged me later that day without even visiting me.

I am getting better slowly and I am glad to have found this website. It is nice to know that others need to talk also. Thank You.

D.

Clough
Aug 17, 2008, 11:01 PM
Hi, DoodleBug1!

Greetings and WELCOME to the site! I changed the title a little bit; split your post into paragraphs so that it is easier to read and moved your question that you had posted in Introductions to this topic area so that it would get the most exposure to those who are best able to answer it. Introductions is for people to introduce themselves and we try to not ask questions there.

We would appreciate it if you would return to Introductions sometime to tell us a little about yourself though, if you would be willing to do that.

Thanks!