SO angry.. It's taking all I have not to flip out

[MaMa2boys]

I just found out yesterday that a patient I've been working with all month long has been recieving radiation treatment through an implant!

Granted I don't work that much and really don't touch this gentleman. The fact is that there are 3 other pregnant women, and 2 that are activley TTC that are also being exposed to this same individual. There is NO SIGNAGE whatsoever on this mans door, and I had to DIG DIG DIG to actually find the truth in his chart, no easy to find sticky on the outside.

I was giving report to a male nurse and he asked why I had had him I was baffled until he informed me about his implant! I can't believe how negilgent my employer is right now.

I understand that it's a privacy issue and can't exactly post a radioactive sign on his door but there are color coded magnets that we place denoting that we should check the charts or speak with the director of nursing services and there is NOTHING.

Luckily he only recieves a very low dose, and I don't really physically touch him. It's just the fact of the matter, my exposure regardless of how little was totally avoidable by switching with another nurse had everyone been properly informed.

I have a call out to my OB to discuss issues that could arise because I keep getting different information.

[breabayne]

I'm so sorry girl!! That's scary

[Lunarmoon]

That is scary!! I'm sorry you have to deal with that. I really hope you stay safe!

[KDinCO]

I am sorry! Keep us posted! I work for a radiology facility but am assured there are lead walls and stays do not penetrate them.

[MaMa2boys]

There is no protection when someone has a radiation implant, they emit it all the time. LOL I would feel totally comfortable working around radialogy equipment because I know that it is only on for a second and everything but the reciever is protected.

The doctor said that I need to remove myself fromt he situation for sure but that the long term effects are "probably" fine since I didn't have that much contact with the person. I'm still so angry and nervous. It was such a small amount of exposure the likelihood is small that anything would be wrong. I did file a report/complaint withmy employer. I'm sure this means that I won't have a job to come back to after my maternity leave but honestly I'm totally okay with that if it makes them WAKE THE F UP and get together on the safety of the 90% women staff!

[Lunarmoon]

There is no protection when someone has a radiation implant, they emit it all the time. LOL I would feel totally comfortable working around radialogy equipment because I know that it is only on for a second and everything but the reciever is protected.

The doctor said that I need to remove myself fromt he situation for sure but that the long term effects are "probably" fine since I didn't have that much contact with the person. I'm still so angry and nervous. It was such a small amount of exposure the likelihood is small that anything would be wrong. I did file a report/complaint with my employer. I'm sure this means that I won't have a job to come back to after my maternity leave but honestly I'm totally okay with that if it makes them WAKE THE F UP and get together on the safety of the 90% women staff!

Yeah that's definitely scary! They never think about these things though.