Ease/difficulty getting documentation for work?

[Lisa]

I called my GI's office today about getting a note for work stating something to the effect that I have a compromised immune system and should avoid certain situations (increased chance of infection, sick people etc) -....this is due to hte issue with work and my telling them I am not supposed to go into certain situations....

For those of youon remicade or other immunosuppressants - how hard/easy was it for you to get documentation from your doc regarding this? I know some have mentioned recently about arrangements at work.....

I'm hoping I hear back from my docs' office by tomorrow - they are usually pretty good about things like that...

Thanks!

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

It took my GI about 6 weeks to fill out and return some FMLA paperwork to me. Since my FMLA is only good for 90 days, that means in a few weeks I'll have to ask him to fill it out again so it'll be ready by the time my 90 days is up!

I was told several times by various receptionists and nurses in my GI's office that paperwork type stuff is typically handled by GPs, not specialists like GIs. So if you run into a dead end with your GI, try your GP. They may not have all the pertinent into but you can hopefully fill them in with what specifically you need.

 

[ssv]

I will find out next week when I see my GP.

My work takes me into PC3 lab where they culture Tuberculosis and all other sorts of nasty things. Not a good place to be going into with a compromised immune system. Thankfully I only have one client that has a PC3 lab and have someone else doing that work for me at the moment.

Paul

 

[Lisa]

I hear you Paul....one of the areas I work in is a Health Department Lab....they do all kinds of testing, newborn screening, experiments.....it isn't unusual to walk down a hall and see really nasty looking stockpots with 'Biohazard' labels on them.....

I haven't had any issues in there (yet) - but aI do keep an eye out for certain areas (ie people dressed in PPE etc....) and will stay out of those.....and, I don't go in the 'clean rooms' either.....

 

[ssv]

Hi passobuf,

The biohazard warning aren't too big of a deal. Generally if a lab is an open environment then its not too bad as long as you exercise caution. The things you should look for is a sign that says PC1, PC2, PC3 and PC4.
PC1 is ok, general precautions like hand washing and don't touch anything you don't have to.
PC2 means they deal with things that are treatable like flu, hepatitis etc
PC3 is stuff that can kill you. You don't want to go into these labs. TB anthrax etc
PC4 RUN the other way, they have stuff in there that can kill you, your family, your pets, and your neighbors.
If you have to go in somewhere that has closed doors, then ask to be on hte safe side. Usually a closed door means its a controlled of pressurized environment.

Hope that helps a little.
Paul

 

[Lisa]

Paul - thanks for that info! I haven't noticed signs like that, but will take a look.....I generally walk in-walk out (I do fire inspections) - and don't touch anything if I don't have to.....

This is the place I am talking about...in case you are interested... http://www.wadsworth.org/

 

[ssv]

Oh yeah, they would definitely have some nasty stuff in there. At least PC3 and I would guess they would have PC4.
Sure enough they are also using products that my company makes. Although the photos show machines that re really old now.
If you are a fire fighter and you get a callout there, drive the truck in the opposite direction . I work with a volunteer fire fighter and he told me a story about a call out to a sprinkler system that went off in a PC4 lab and filled the room with water. It took months to clean up that mess.