Health Care Providers Vaccination Status

[rustysgurl]

Having been through a variety of medical procedures this year, it's important to me whether or not my doctors, nurses, office staff, etc., are vaccinated. Today's appointment was with the doctor who was to perform my cataract surgery.

The office appeared to be very safety-conscious. Sign on the door says "if you're not the patient please wait outside." Everyone in masks; hand sanitizer everywhere. Seats in the waiting room spaced far apart. The tech who took me back and put my eyes through their paces was cordial until I asked her about staff members' vaccination status. She, as my Mom would have said, "got her back up" and told me it was "none of my business" and that the employees had a right to privacy. I told her my safety trumped their "privacy" and I wasn't going to subject myself to health care providers who didn't believe in science. The doctor walked in just as I was gathering my handbag to walk out. He asked why I was leaving and I told him. He told the tech to "get out" and we had a talk. He could not/would not tell me if all staff members were vaccinated, although he did assure me that anyone entering the surgery suite would be vaccinated. I told him it did no good to only have "some" of his staff vaccinated. I am asthmatic and diabetic and cannot be too careful. He said he understood but said he had to respect his staff members' personal choices. I told him that was absolute bullshit and walked out.

So I am currently looking for other options. It just boggles my mind the health providers who don't think it's important for their offices to be 100% vaccinated.

[Phoenix61]

1. Good for you! I would have done the same thing.

Either you believe in science or you don’t and the last thing I want is a health care person who doesn’t. It really is just that simple.

[SheltieLover]

2. Good for you! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I always ask, too! And quickly leave when the magat sneers & comments start. There is nothing I need or want that badly.

[appalachiablue]

3. You did the right thing, sorry you had the experience

and waste of time. Good luck with future medical appts. and procedures.

I will pass this along to close ones who have health conditions and frequent check ups.

[Ziggysmom]

4. Good for you! How the hell can you expect people to care for YOUR health when they can't even

take care of their OWN?

[littlemissmartypants]

5. Well done! Highly justified and righteous response. ❤

[pnwmom]

6. What is it with eye doctors? Last year, when masks were being urged by the CDC

and the professional association of ophthalmologists, my eye doc wasn't requiring patients to wear them, but they were cleaning the equipment between patients, etc. It was on their website. So I sent an email explaining why I wouldn't be making an annual appointment and found another doc.

Eventually I got an email from them announcing they were now requiring masks. Too late. I'd found another ophthalmologist who was smarter.

[Jakes Progress]

7. Good on you.

I won't go if they can't assure me that the people who will be hovering over me while I'm sedated care enough about my health to get vaccinated. If a doctor can't require that of his/her staff, then they don't really care about me.

I'm waiting for the first law suit to come from someone getting Covid in a doctor's office or surgery center. If insurance companies find out that is a possibility, we will have 100% of medical facilities vaccinated.

[bringthePaine]

8. there's a staggering problem w/ med folk who reject science - should be a required oath for license

[catrose]

9. You're absolutely right. I also ask.

[Aristus]

10. I'm a Physician Assistant. I'm vaccinated.

[mountain grammy]

11. Good for you! Glad you did that! They need to know.

[BigmanPigman]

12. With my luck, I'd get billed $50 for "missing my appointment".

[Crunchy Frog]

13. When I was working as an HHA I had to have a sticker on my badge

indicating that I'd had my flu vaccine. Fuck their "privacy".

[CozyMystery]

14. Univ of Pittsburgh Medical Center does not require employees to be vaccinated...

I asked a nurse whether she was vaccinated for Covid and she told me that she did not divulge her personal health information to patients.

I thought about for a minute, and told her I believe this is a public health issue.

I raised a ruckus because I am being treated for cancer, and this was the radiation oncology center in my town. All of the cancer patients are at risk. The masks worn by the medical professionals I have seen are not properly fitted. There are gaps on the sides, and for an airborne virus these gaps are inviting entrance portals.

I've read a couple of newspaper articles about this, and they are not comforting at all. Allegedly, 70% of UPMC employees are fully vaccinated. UPMC has 93,000 employees, according to one article. If true, the 70% statistic means 27,900 employees are not vaccinated. Some of those are medical professionals who refuse to inform patients of their status.

[mnhtnbb]

15. My opthalmologist volunteered the info

that everyone in their office was vaccinated last time I was there in July. But the practice is also in a Democratic county which has the highest vaxx rates in our state.

I hope you are able to find a practice where everyone is vaccinated. What will you do if you can't?

[rustysgurl]

16. What will I do?

Probably not have the surgery right now. My vision isn't that bad that I can't wait, thankfully.

[CozyMystery]

17. I heard back from the guy who makes the decisions for UPMC

He said that 69% of the employees were vaccinated. If it ever becomes mandatory, he will allow religious and medical exemptions. I assume the employees will still not have to tell their status to patients, if that is the case.

I just don't understand why any medical organization allows their employees to have a religious exemption. Or why the employees aren't required to tell patients their vaccine status. They know mine!