Healing it in a hospital situation
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Friday January 11th, 2008 @ 8:40 PM
Filed under: Tattoos
So, I am getting my first big tattoo on Monday. (Cue spaz out right now.) But, I am really nervous for the healing process. I work in a hospital, all over actually. And, I am exposed to a lot of icky (for lack of any medical terminology) stuff. I have a lot of contact with stuff like MRSA and c. Diff. Both, of which I would rather not get. Are there any steps that I can take at work that will make infection not possible? Obviously, I won’t be rubbing my leg all over festering boils, or anything… But, is doing that plastic wrap thing an okay procedure to take up while the tattoo is healing? Mucho thankos.
Is there any chance of taking sick leave or a holiday on short notice?
Personally with all the potential problems by putting yourself in contact with MRSA and various others in a Hospital environment, I’d say better to just stay away for a little while,
As working in a hospital you have to factor into the fact that the environment is not completely sterile or clean. People brush against various objects in the hospital, much like they do outside. So I would be VERY concerned/worried about entering into a location such as a hospital which has been the breeding ground for the issues you are bringing up.
As for the plastic wrap concept, there’s two different views on this. Some tattoo artists believe you SHOULD wear plastic wrap and change it often to maintain the tattoo. While others believe leaving the tattoo open to allow it to receive oxygen, and just keeping it clean is best.
My concern with the plastic wrap and being inside the hospital is that essentially you’ll be wandering around the hospital with sweaty lymphing bio-soup leg. And no matter how you swing it a bit of pressure in the right area can cause that liquidy mixture to expel out from the plastic wrap.
Personally if I was in your shoes I would have organized some time off from work, at least a week, to allow for the initial healing process to begin. As it’s just better to be safe then to be sorry. Why risk the potential concept of catching MRSA?
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7 Responses to “Healing it in a hospital situation”
How big is it? Maybe you could put a piece of Tegaderm or some other high quality occlusive bandage instead of clingwrap, if it’ll fit?
Xenobiologista on January 15th, 2008 at 7:59 pmNumber one: Any decent hospital will put a patient with an active MRSA infection into full isolation, hospitals are not taking chances with this anymore. This means a gown will have to be worn, along with gloves, a face cover, and possibly eye wear. The chances of getting MRSA from a patient with a dormant infection is very, very slim.
Number two: In my opinion, as long as you are practicing proper hand washing techniques the chances of you contracting MRSA will be almost non-existent.
I know I am a bit late on this comment, but I figured I would add it anyways.
kari_kat_mom on February 27th, 2008 at 2:01 pmkari_kat_mom: and what about those who have it, but haven’t been diagnosed with it yet? ie: people sitting in ER’s, wandering the hospitals…they have to at some point move these people to the isolation sections, and last to my knowledge teleportation has not been developed yet.
Also keyword used is: “decent” I’ve been in many hospitals that aren’t “decent”
also washing hands is ALWAYS a must, but hey the tattoo is on her leg, not her hands…and since MRSA ends up in various places (sinus, on the skin,etc)…I honestly think that even if the person DOES wash their hands properly, they still have to worry about the other harmful things that can come in contact with their open skin abrasion/irritation(ie: tattoo)
As a good friend of mine who teaches BBP says…If you have a medical concern you go, don’t touch ANYTHING, get treated asap and get the hell out.
Warren Hiller on February 27th, 2008 at 8:38 pmHowever, anyone with a hacking cough (a sign of an active MRSA infection) is usually required to wear a mask while in the ER. It doesn’t always happen, but it’s a start.
As someone who has done my clinical time mostly with people with contagious diseases (MRSA, scabies, etc.), I think this MRSA business is being taken way out of control. Sure, it’s a very horrid bacteria, but good old soap and water will take care of it. To be honest, I would be more worried about Hep. C from a wound victim then the off-chance a few MRSA particles travel down my leg and happen to find my new tattoo.
The handwashing comment was made in regards to cross-contamination. Most in the healthcare field are very aware of where their hands are in relation to their body. If my hands aren’t clean, I am not touching anything on my body, period.
What about wearing one of those water-proof, sweat-proof UnderArmor under the scrubs? Sure it would be warm; alas, probably unbearable, it would still provide better protection then just a flimsy set of scrubs.
kari_kat_mom on March 3rd, 2008 at 9:52 amI’m sorry but are you actually saying that all the reports that are declaring MRSA as an up coming epidemic, are false? Just trying to figure out exactly WHY you are saying MRSA is being “taken out of control”
As shouldn’t ALL contagious diseases be taken VERY seriously?
Warren Hiller on March 3rd, 2008 at 10:39 pmYes, all contagious diseases should be taken very seriously. Years ago, gloves were uncommon in the healthcare setting.
MRSA is a scary, scary bug, trust me, I worked with a client that had a dormant infection. I wasn’t told about it, and when I found out, I flipped. I have a right to protect myself and my family, no matter how active the infection. My grandfather has been ill for years, a MRSA infection would kill him.
The “taken out of control” comment was made towards the media hype. I should have been more clear on that, and I apologize. While the media has in fact created awareness about MRSA and how to protect yourself (best way is still handwashing), they have also created a sense of chaos. You have people who’s cold lasts a little extra longer, or has a little deeper of a cough, and they are running to their doctor claiming they have MRSA or one of a million things. And doctors keep prescribing antibiotics for things that do not need them, which is why we are in this mess to begin with. Doctors are too afraid to stand up to their patients because they are afraid of being sued. This is what I meant by “taken out of control.” I should have explained myself a bit more, but, I was in a hurry.
Yes, yes, yes a million times over, contagious diseases need to be taken seriously. Healthcare workers, tattoo artists, and common people NEED to think that every person that they come into contact with is a walking infection.
I should have explained myself more, and I’m sorry, hopefully this clears it up.
kari_kat_mom on March 4th, 2008 at 1:19 amexplained yourself A LOT better and cleared it up, thanks
Warren Hiller on March 4th, 2008 at 8:10 pmLeave a Comment