Medical Scribe Coming Into Work Sick

[ajohnson349]

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Okay everyone. As a preschool teacher, 8 often just came in to teach no matter my condition since I knew none of my students were immunocompromised. I have also never missed a day of school and always opt to just make sure I have everything I need on hand in case of emesis, etc.

Now, I am working as a medical scribe and am around varying patients with varying immune statuses. I was called in early this morning to cover for another scribe. It was late notice and so I agreed to come ina; however, in my haste, I forgot that I am sick and am actually supposed to go into the doctor tomorrow, as my symptoms are mirroring that of walking pneumonia. I honestly feel fine minus the fatigue, slight cough, and rhinorrhea. Is it safe for me to be going into work at this time?

 

[Engrailed]

Okay everyone. As a preschool teacher, 8 often just came in to teach no matter my condition since I knew none of my students were immunocompromised. I have also never missed a day of school and always opt to just make sure I have everything I need on hand in case of emesis, etc.

Now, I am working as a medical scribe and am around varying patients with varying immune statuses. I was called in early this morning to cover for another scribe. It was late notice and so I agreed to come ina; however, in my haste, I forgot that I am sick and am actually supposed to go into the doctor tomorrow, as my symptoms are mirroring that of walking pneumonia. I honestly feel fine minus the fatigue, slight cough, and rhinorrhea. Is it safe for me to be going into work at this time?

Just paraphrasing what you wrote here..
Are you asking if it’s safe to go to work at this time when showing symptoms mirroring that of walking pneumonia?

🤔

 

[ajohnson349]

Just paraphrasing what you wrote here..
Are you asking if it’s safe to go to work at this time when showing symptoms mirroring that of walking pneumonia?

🤔

Yes. Mind you, I only say "mirroring" because, when I described it, the only thing that set of a warning signal for my PCP was that, when I breath in felt like fluid going into my lungs. Then, he said, "buy everything else seems normal."

 

[DNAJB6]

I'm not trying to be sarcastic, but as a medical scribe there is a physician overseeing you. Why don't you ask him or her?

 

[Cornfed101]

You could wear a mask. Nearly everyone working in healthcare has shown up to work somewhat sick at some point. Sometimes there just aren't enough sick days to go around. Figure out what you have and take it from there. If you feel sick enough to take a sick day (and you are fortunate enough to have some PTO for it) then take one.

 

[candbgirl]

When they called and asked you to come in you “forgot your were sick”?

 

[DNAJB6]

Easy solution: Go to work. If you tell them you "forgot" then that will look sketchy. If you're too sick to be there they will send you home.

 

[ajohnson349]

I'm not trying to be sarcastic, but as a medical scribe there is a physician overseeing you. Why don't you ask him or her?

No problem at all. I don't see it as sarcastic. I completely understand your recommendation. That's actually one of the first things I did when I got in after putting on a mask. She actually said I was perfectly fine since I'm not "walking dead status," and had on a mask.

 

[choks]

When I was a scribe several years ago, I came into the ER with the flu. I just wore a mask, skipped my lunch to take a quick nap, and worked my shift. The doctor I worked with that overnight shift ended up being one of my favorite doctors and we really enjoyed working with each other. He ended up writing me a strong letter of recommendation.

 

[ajohnson349]

When they called and asked you to come in you “forgot your were sick”?

Lol. Yes. At that time, I had forgotten I was sick. They called me at 3 in the morning to cover for her, so I said yes, then woke up 2 hours later coughing and hacking, and thought, "oh yeah." For some reason, when I am ill, I feel a lot better when I am resting versus up and moving. The better I feel, the less I recall I am ill. Now, with COVID, I definitely felt the illness, regardless of the amount of rest I had.

 

[DNAJB6]

When I was a scribe several years ago, I came into the ER with the flu. I just wore a mask, skipped my lunch to take a quick nap, and worked my shift. The doctor I worked with that overnight shift ended up being one of my favorite doctors and we really enjoyed working with each other. He ended up writing me a strong letter of recommendation.

You risked patient health and safety. I hope you'll be more thoughtful of your patients as an attending.

 

[choks]

You risked patient health and safety. I hope you'll be more thoughtful of your patients as an attending.

Haha I tried to get my shift covered, but no one was available. The company I worked for had me come in regardless of what I had and I needed the job. What could I have done? I guess as an attending, it might be easier to find coverage.

Another scenario. You're a resident and you're sick. You're just going to call out and not show up? Better yet, you are a M4 auditioning at an away at one of your top choices and you're sick. You just don't show up?

 

[Cornfed101]

Haha I tried to get my shift covered, but no one was available. The company I worked for had me come in regardless of what I had and I needed the job. What could I have done? I guess as an attending, it might be easier to find coverage.

Another scenario. You're a resident and you're sick. You're just going to call out and not show up? Better yet, you are a M4 auditioning at an away at one of your top choices and you're sick. You just don't show up?

in the past? Probably not. Now with Covid scaring people? Yeah. You could just say you have Covid and you won’t be allowed to come in

 

[choks]

in the past? Probably not. Now with Covid scaring people? Yeah. You could just say you have Covid and you won’t be allowed to come in

Oh yeah, I made the comment last year and the shift was maybe 3 years ago when I just became a scribe, so definitely no excuses there. Definitely possible now, especially with COVID still looming, but I am still a ltitle skeptical.

Best advice, just don't get sick 🙂