Working in a clinical setting

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

I am going to be volunteering in my local hospital soon. I have already had my training for it. I'm really excited about it. Its going to be working with patients at meal times to encourage them to eat more, or to help feeding them. I'm really looking forward to this because it is relevant to my degree in nutrition, and will be good experience for if I decide to go on to do dietetics.
Anyway, as part of the application process you have to do a CRB check, but also an occupational health assessment. So I had loads of forms to fill out and on my occupational health assessment I declared I had crohns.
I was then told to come in for a "health interview". I had this interview today. It was pretty much as I expected - see if they can do anything extra to support me. I told them about when I was diagnosed, how long I have been on various medications etc.
Then infliximab came up. Its an immunosuppressant so maybe it isn't advisable for me to work in a clinical setting? I said, well what am I supposed to do about it? I have to control my illness and if its what I want to do as a job in the future....?
She said she would pass me as long as I discussed the issue with the specialist for their opinion on working in a clinical setting. So I thought instead I would get your opinions!

 

[AlliRuns]

It depends in What are you going to be doing at the hospital? I wouldn't do anything where there's a high risk of getting some kind of infection.

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

Well I will be working with the patients. But its going to be two hours a week!

 

[AlliRuns]

Maybe you can swing it so you don't have to work with those that present a high risk.

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

Thats what I was thinking. They told us we are not allowed in the side rooms so it will probably be ok.
Have you noticed a difference in how many infections you get since being on it?

 

[AlliRuns]

I've only had my first 2 loading doses so far, I have my third one on Tuesday. So far, no infections, but I have been trying to avoid sick people.

 

[ambermeghan]

I've been on Remicade and Imuran since November 2011. I'm a nurse and I work in a pediatric clinic. I haven't noticed an increase of infections since being on Remi. If you can avoid patients that would pose a higher risk, that might be a good option.

 

[AK47]

I think its best to stay away from 'seriously high risk' patients. But with Remicade, theres a chance of getting serious infections from others such as TB even if the person doesnt have an active disease.

I've been on it for 4 months now, fingers crossed I haven't even had a cold yet, my family memebers have had a cold more than once in the last few months, yet I havent had one.

Extra hygiene is important, so regular use of hand sanitizer should help you from getting any infections.

To be honest, even if you were on other immunosuppressant drugs such as 6MP or Aza, you would still have the risk of getting infections.

 

[xmdmom]

I'd talk to your doctor about this and perhaps he/she could give you the best advice. Working closely with patients in a hospital may put you at picking up certain nasty bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. If you are not touching the patients or their things, you'd probably be at lower risk but I'd ask my doctor if I were you.

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

Hospitals have strong infection control procedures like hand washing and such in place anyway.
Plus to work there you have to prove you have been vaccinated against certain infectious diseases like TB.
I think this nurse who said "perhaps its not a good idea to work in a clinical setting" was being a bit ott to be honest!
I said that to her about being on Aza as well, I just wondered if it would be worse on remicade. I'm guessing so because im on a very low dose of aza.