Thanks Jaye.  I think this is something we in the "medical" profession need to address in general.  WE are the enemy - not the family - when it comes to germ warfare!  Babies are not protected from us by their passive immune systems!  If nurses (and others) wore a big red circle with a slash on their uniforms, maybe they would get the idea that they need to quit handling babies and leave them with their mothers!!!! The reason why there are universal precautions in hospitals is to PROTECT THE BABIES!  Just my rant for the day!

-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jaye Simpson, IBCLC
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 9:09 AM
Subject: Re: Private practice - when is sick too sick?

Hi All,

 

I will NEVER see a mom when I am sick - even on the tail end of a cold or
whatever.  Quite frankly it pisses me off to no end to hear about how
Dr./nurse/LC/HCP so and so saw some mom and baby/child with a cold or virus
of some sort and sad to say it happens all the time.


As a Private Practice LC who supports her family on this meager income it
doesn't help my bottom line or bill paying abilities to get sick and have to
pass up consults - however, I flat out refuse to put anyone, parents and
especially the baby, at risk just so I can pay my bills.  I always explain
to the mom that I am sick or just getting over something and I will not put
them at risk - they can wait for me as I support them over the phone or I
can refer them out.  Most times - they wait.  :-)

 

As it happens I have an interesting condition where I run unexplained
fevers.  No other symptoms of any kind just a fever of about 100.  After
several months of research and testing it was determined that I have what
are called Psychosomatic Fevers (not common to my knowledge) - my body's
<joyful> response to <negative> stress.  Joy.  So, for many months I was
very frustrated passing up consults due to a fever that really wasn't a
problem - BUT - I passed them up.  

 

I think it behooves all of us to be picky as hell with this issue as our
physical condition can directly impact someone else's life - or death in the
case of RSV.  So, for me - if I am sick - I don't work.  Period.  I wait
until I am 100% better - every time.  I also take nearly OCD care to not
expose myself unnecessarily to viruses - staying away from others who are
ill, not touching public door handles with my hands, not touching my face if
I had to touch a public door handle, washing hands frequently, etc.  As a
result, I don't get sick very often!  :-)

 

Anyway - those are my 5 cents on the subject. 

 

Take care all!

 

Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM

Breastfeeding Network

Sacramento, CA

www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

 


             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome