Meningitis, Pertussis & Influenza

How many people do you know that have been potentially exposed to Meningitis, Pertussis, & Influenza within an 18 hour period? (The only one, other than co-workers, I know would be Dr. Ward).

1. Sad story. @ 0426, we got a call from NFD saying they had a CPR in progress. We got our team together and waited. I was the primary/scribe nurse, documenting the case. I was approximately 5 feet away from the patient at any given moment. Unfortunately, the child didn't make it. What a way to end your shift?! I got home, went to bed. Received a call from Occupational Health informing me that I was potentially exposed to meningitis and I needed to come by. The next morning, I did go to Occupational Health, for them to tell me that I didn't needed to take the Cipro, because I was a good distance away from the patient.

2. I can't recall how old the child was, but he was less than 6 months old. I'm thinking around 3 months or so. Anyway, I got report on the child that he has been having a cough for about 2 weeks and having choking spells. (I wasn't informed that he was a rule out PERTUSSIS)! So, I got in to assess the patient and do my thing. Come out, and Mark, the attending, tells me that he's a rule out pertussis. Great, my night is getting better! (I mean, all I wanted was to be in triage, that's it. Hardly anyone wants to be in triage, and I even offered. Mark said that Veronica and I couldn't be triage. My thoughts were, so when did Mark--one of our attendings--get to decided nursing assignments? Oh well). Now, I start wearing my mask when entering the room. Trisha, one of the nurses, is married to a physician who's involved in the Pertussis study at VCH. And she calls to tell on me! Haha!

3. Another patient of mine had the flu! Didn't hear this till after I'd had been all in the room, with the patient, too!

Having all said this, I was called today to inform me that patient #2 results came back positive for pertussis. Now, I have to drive to Vanderbilt in the morning and meet with the lady at 8am. She will draw my blood and take a nasal swab to test me!

Then I go back to work that night at 7pm...but at least it's only til 3am! :)