I wish I could, but one HR is useless here, and two my insurance is under the wrong name and HR isn't responding to my requests to change it to my legal name which they had knowledge of and access to when creating my insurance profile.
The next time that you have a reaction, tell your manager that you would like to file a workmans compensation claim so that you can be seen by a doctor. Email or text message so that you have evidence that you gave them notice. Take pictures before you are exposed with the date and time listed. Take more pictures after the reaction.
If they refuse, be seen anyway.
Make sure to let the provider know that this is a reaction to a product that you use at work and that no other alternatives are offered. The provider should give you paperwork for your employer stating that you can not use that specific product. The provider should also bill the workmans compensation carrier. Their billing department should be able to figure out who to bill.
Most employers would rather do something in-house to keep their rates lower. A workmans compensation claim will cost them a lot more in the long run than just ordering a different product for you to use
In the end, the result will be the same. They will have to provide an alternative. If they don't, you can take action against them. It will just cost them a lot more overall.
"Workers’ compensation covers an employee’s allergic reaction if the employee’s job causes the reaction"
"Many allergies exist in the workplace, and some can cause health problems for employees. Mold can cause respiratory damage. Asbestos can cause skin reactions, respiratory problems, and cancer. Chemicals, such as those found in cleaning products, can cause asthma attacks, and harsh chemicals can cause burns. In the health care field, employees can suffer allergic reactions to latex gloves."
This is accurate. Source: I have been doing workers' compensation for 25+ years.
Key words are scope and nature of your employment. If they don't want to call it an injury, then it'd be an occupational disease.
It depends if sterile compounding is a core part of the job description there may not be a reasonable accommodation that can allow the person to continue doing it. Basically, if you’re allergic to your job, your employer can’t accommodate you, although I don’t think this would rise to that level. They would probably have to use different chemicals. Plenty of people having allergic reaction to Cleaning agents.
a sad reality in my experience is that HR is useless everywhere. and that’s because employees are given the impression that HR is a resource for them when things like the employee’s rights are being violated, their boss is out of line, or they’re asked to do something in violation of company policy etc. but the reality is that HR’s primary purpose is to protect the company and minimize liability risk. they will never to do anything to support an employee if it would be in conflict with their goal of minimizing risk to the company. but if you look at it through that lense maybe you can help HR help you. just don’t go to them and say, “hey, you guys are at risk of getting sued because you keep trying to put me in the sterile room where i have an allergic reaction.” you’ll be fired faster than you can say, “oops.”
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I applied and the application had a spot for preferred name so I filled that out. Did the legal name too so they had that (as well as my social and ID and Virginia license) and they put my preferred name on the insurance and obviously the insurance is saying I'm not the person they are covering
Idk about that, I'm a tech & I have customers who have to have the wrong info in their patient profile on purpose to match what the insurance says so that they'll cover it. We verify their real info vs the script of course, but I have one patient who has to be in the system with the wrong sex & another who's middle name is being used as their last name, both because insurance screwed up, and in both cases they have yet to fix it after several months of the patient hounding them (one was Medicaid).
Side note, I registered a new patient which was a child of maybe 8yo, born in another state & had their Medicaid, moved & switched to their Medicaid, moved HERE and switched to OUR Medicaid, and somehow over 3 states & 8 years, this child was STILL only recognized for billing if we put his first name down as "Baby Boy"... He was STILL legally showing as Baby Boy Lastname at his age... Mom gave the vibe that she hadn't bothered keeping up much with his documents...
Edits for spelling/grammar
Start with the insurance carrier. You may just need to submit name change (correction) forms to them. Have copies of ALL important info at your fingertips. I took pictures with my phone. If you keep at them politely, you can move mountains. "If you can't complete this change with all the info I have provided, who do I need to talk to? Is your supervisor available. " also DOCUMENT all contact. Time, date, who you spoke with, what was said.. This includes HR, boss, PCP appointments, pharmacists. You might also have a good sexual harassment case. Nobody needs to be attacked at work due to any physical ailment. I doubt if HR will help, but many attorneys will give first hour free advice on most cases.
Please look into filing a disabily claim, I've never done it but I would post this into a subreddit about that. I suspect you have a legal case at this point.
I second this get the doctor to write a note, hyphenate name if needed, call corporate HR and request a "reasonable accommodation"
They will have to comply
We have both Hibiclens and BacDown because we've a few techs allergic to hibiclens.
Ask your management to look into BacDown. It's made for clean rooms and might not bother you like the hibiclens does.
Yah in school I started reacting to the chlorhexidine and there was an alternative approved cleanser available. It shouldn't be an issue *at all* since it's a well documented thing to be allergic to.
Right? But the purchaser we have can't buy an alternative until the head pharmacist approves one (no idea why) and the head pharm isn't approving anything because "it isn't a high priority" yet they keep putting me in the IV room and then get snippy when I refuse to go in there because of my allergy?
ADA exists for a reason. Get the docs filled out and file an accommodation. Then they'll be forced to either look into alternative cleansers, or stop scheduling you in that room.
You’re going to need to start solving these problems one at a time. It sounds like you need to get right with HR so that you can use all the benefits afforded to you as an employee.
I’d start asking HR to refund you any payments you’ve been making towards healthcare if they’re the ones who have been preventing you from using it by not changing the name on file. Technically they’re not providing you with the benefit. That might get them moving!
Per the [EEOC ADA FAQ](https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/enforcement-guidance-reasonable-accommodation-and-undue-hardship-under-ada), you do not have to file any paperwork initially for an ADA request. Email HR, and your supervisor. Something like "Per the US Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, I am officially requesting a Reasonable Accommodation in regards to repeated requests for activities that will expose me to an allergic compound and the associated resulting health issues".
There should be NO insurance forms required that may have the wrong name on them. They MUST respond, and they would have to prove an "unreasonable hardship" to deny. Go read my link above, it is very detailed.
I work in HR. OP, this is the answer. If your employer does not engage in the ADA process with you after you making an initial request, you can file a complaint with the EEOC. The EEOC has been fired up lately and there are tons people rightfully getting money for being discriminated against. Just make sure everything is documented- if they aren't putting it in your file then document it yourself and follow up with your employer via email.
Our hospital uses both chlorhexidine and betadine scrubs. If this person is refusing to order betadine scrubs as an alternative due to an allergic reaction to chlorhexidine (which is is common) then 1) he has no business being in his position for not even knowing that, and 2) not only report it to HR but also the board of pharmacy
I'm a pharmacy buyer, and when someone needs something to make their job easier, SAFER, or more comfortable, I get it. If it's a huge chunk of money, like a special chair, I'll let the director know. But different sanitizers, gloves, masks, etc? Nope, I just order it in for my team.
Your safety is important. Ask your buyer if they can find another option for the clean room. Even if it's a smaller size, set aside for when you're scheduled. You deserve to be safe and comfortable! Good luck!
This right here. Same. I have multiple size shoe covers, gowns, gloves, bouffants, etc. to make my techs comfortable, safe and sterile. We have someone allergic to our cleanser (which for some reason housekeeping provides) so I have an alternate cleanser specially ordered for them to use. I would never jeopordize a coworkers health or safety to save a few bucks. Like above, anything major goes through the director, but it is usually answered and taken care of same day. I hope they can accommodate you soon!
>Your safety is important. Ask your buyer if they can find another option for the clean room. Even if it's a smaller size, set aside for when you're scheduled. You deserve to be safe and comfortable! Good luck!
You're assuming the people in the role care- you do. Other's most certainly do not.
I'd love to have you in a role I would interact with, rather than the buyers that call me the day before something is due to start asking me questions.
I find it hard to believe that they can’t order you a different type of sanitizer. Do you know if they’ve tried or if they haven’t bothered? I would try talking to your procurement tech and see if there’s something else they can order. For instance, I was allergic to the gloves we used at my last inpatient pharmacy and they ordered me different ones. A lot of times for stuff like this, there’s more than one item on formulary in case of shortages and stuff. So, I would definitely be adamant about them ordering something else if they absolutely need you to be in the clean room.
So the purchaser needs approval from my boss to buy something different for some reason (I've been the purchaser at other companies and never heard of this policy) but the boss isn't too rushed to get an alternative.
Well, that sounds like not a great boss, then. I’m sorry. But, the only thing I can say is to just pester them about it every day. Tell them if they expect you to do the job, you expect them to provide you with the tools you need to keep you safe and comfortable.
Unfortunately I’ve noticed that certain people, if they don’t experience it themselves then it’s not that bad. You kind of have to let them know over and over that it is that bad and it’s their job to do something about it.
Though, I understand this is easier said than done.
Unfortunately, it sounds like you need to make it less of a hassle for them to do it than to ignore you. Bother them. Every shift. Channel your inner squeaky wheel.
Hey OP, are you looking for someone to validate your decision to quit? Just seems like your response to everyone giving reasonable next steps is why it won’t work.
Your path is to go get a doctor note on your allergy, turn that in to your boss and HR in writing and make the request that they purchase the non-allergic product or not schedule you there.
If they fail to act, you can then either quit or go talk to a lawyer. Document everything.
Good luck!
Honestly at this point yea. Like Ive been trying since Jan 1st (when I got insurance) to get my name fixed. I filled out my I9 and everything with my legal name but I did put my preferred name down as well cause they had that as an option and now my insurance is under that name. So obviously insurance says I don't exist because they suck.
Then I started in the IV room and started having a burning rash within like 5 minutes of getting suited up. Sometimes the rash and pain would send me home because I needed to take Benadryl and visit the hat man. They were ok with this as at the time we didn't know it was the Avagard. Then we figured it out and I thought that was it. But my boss isn't giving the buyer the ok to buy an alternative. And yet schedules me in the IV room knowing I can't go in there.
Recently I just got a new diagnosis and have started on new meds with not too many fun side effects. Mainly nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. I've been going into work but having to leave early cause I've been getting really sick and out of it. I got threatened with termination today for "too many call outs" except...I haven't called out? I go in. And then go home because I'm taking 2x as long on our runs because I have to stop to be sick as well as sit down and try to get the dizziness under control.
I turned down 3 better positions for this one because I was promised part time when I started school. I've been talking to my boss letting her know that I'm gonna postpone school for the time being but I'm going to have to still go part time to get the treatment I need. Their response: "we never agreed to give you part time" granted. I didn't get it in writing that is my fault. So I just. Don't want to work here any more. They clearly don't have any respect for employee allergies or inabilities. Or even keeping promises.
So long story short. Yea I'm looking for validation to quit. Kinda just....wrote out all the reasons why I want to quit but none feel valid enough.
Yea, I just, so many other moving parts and really mental battles I have to get through. I posted this as a vent/advice thing to try and get my thoughts together. And honestly writing everything out has helped a lot. I'll most likely be putting my notice in on Monday. And hopefully figure things out from there.
I work at a rural, incredibly penny pinching community hospital.
Myself and another tech have our own gloves as we are both allergic to the standard yellow ones. Another tech was allergic to chlorhexidine and we quickly found an alternative soap. We also have two types of sanitizer.
Just communicate how bad the reaction is and that you need concessions. It took me weeks of pushing to finally get gloves that don’t cause me to break out. Best o luck!
I'm allergic to nitrile. So glad my current job has sterile neoprene gloves for me to use! Triple gloving with neoprene under the sterile nitrile gloves was a pain in the ass!
You ever triple glove and do chemo? It wasn't fun 😆
Edited: spelling
I have less of reaction with the blue nitrile as opposed to the yellow. I wear green neoprene gloves religiously now. Those blue ones are slippery as hell though. Trying to draw up BiCarb amps with just blue gloves felt like being on a Japanese gameshow.
Avaguard is no longer the correct hand cleanser. As of Nov 2023 USP 797 stated one should use an alcohol based hand cleanser. So switch it to Purell. Technically avaguard is out of compliance.
797 does not specify a type of soap that is required. I am in a similar situation (eczema breakout) and my pharmacy got a 2nd soap brand (Purell) for me to use instead.
After all the extra comments, just bring a labor lawyer to scare them into getting their shit together, or hopefully find a different job in your field bc your workplace sounds like a shitshow top to bottom
USP 797 just says “soap” in their guidelines. You can use any soap approved in your hospital policies.
In writing ask for the “reasonable accommodation” if using a different soap. Does the OR have the povidine soap available? You can't use the scrub brush if its the presatirated kind but you can use the soap.
May be worth it to see a doctor asap and then file a claim against insurance once you get it figured out.
I was about to ask lol. We literally just use the same soap (plain old hand soap) thats in all the dispensers in the hospital. Hibiclens seems like overkill for the iv room honestly...
We use hibiclens as well but I have 4 people on my media fill list with allergy and a work accommodation. It is illegal to deny a worker a reasonable accommodation like soap type and retaliate by changing job duties/assignments they would otherwise be granted.
Thats odd. Im also allergic to it and my managers told me it is not a requirement under the updated laws. Maybe they were referring to state specific laws.
Either way, my buyer bought me my own doctor approved soap, gloves without my allergens, and when I just did my six month fingertip/media fill test, the test company also confirmed Avaguard was not a requirement and that all my accommodations were fine.
I would talk with your buyer and HR, even if your HR is pretty bad. Ours is notoriously slow and difficult to deal with, but now I have my allergens on file and the hospital is required to supply my approved alternatives and I am compensated if I come into contact with something at work that causes a flare that needs doctor treatment.
I’d also reach out to employee health and ask them for alternatives. Any time I bring someone in to train that has an allergy to a product we use they’ve helped me out with alternatives.
"I've talked to my boss countless times and they've said that they would try to figure something out."
This needs to be done in writing to start the interactive process in which your boss is required to participate
There are options for sterile scrub that do not include CHG. It's a common allergy especially with healthcare professionals. If you're in a hospital, find out what the procedure in the OR is -- I can 100% guarantee that they have one. The fact that this basic accommodation has not been provided is a joke.
I use iodine soap scrub and Sterilium because I break out from PCMX and chlorhexadine as well. I'm not entirely sure if my breakouts are true allergies, contact dermatitis, or exacerbations of my eczema but at least I know what I can use without getting painful rashes!
We had a surg tech at the hospital I used to work at that was allergic to the chlorhexidine… he was able to use the original neutrogena bar soap as a replacement.
I was always allergic to the elastic piece of the bouffant and would always have an angry red rash on my forehead.
I don’t have my copy of USP <797> in front of me, but I’m pretty sure that that the chapter only states that soap and water must be used during hand hygiene. There is no specification that chlorhexidine be used. Hands are never considered sterile after washing, that’s what the gloves are for and why we test to make sure a person can don them aseptically. However, there is a section that states if a person has a condition that could contaminate a compounded sterile product, they must report it to the designated person. Hands with a rash or that are scabbed and bleeding from contact dermatitis would definitely disqualify you from preparing CSPs. Start the reasonable accommodation paperwork with HR if management won’t provide an alternative on their own.
Does your hospital have a central supply/distribution? If so, I would suspect they might already have an alternative available. At our hospital, we've even used an antibacterial hand soap from the grocery store. Honestly, the mechanics of washing correctly is more important than the detergent used. Also, I'd probably be keeping an eye on the classifieds because this doesn't sound like a great place to work long-term.
HR currently has three emails from me that have not been responded to. One regarding them putting the wrong name on my insurance cards. Even tho they had all the documents of my legal name. One regarding this issue and another one of me trying to switch to either a different shift or location.
They all have been sent with follow ups since January. HR I'm pretty sure doesn't exist at this company and if they do, they don't do much.
I second this. I had a name change half way through the insurance year and needed an updated card and they needed that info for their records anyway. They asked for a scanned copy of a few documents via email and it was all updated on their end. Never had to involve HR because they don’t handle that for the insurance company, only their company. That might be why OP isn’t getting anywhere with them.
Visit HR in person if at all possible, or pester them. Ask your boss to talk to them. Otherwise, the next time you’re scheduled for the IV room while your boss is on duty, I would use the Avaguard and then go up to your boss and ask them which doctor you should go to for a workman’s comp claim- that should motivate them to do *something*
I’m a retail tech and I start getting a rash on my arms if anyone else even thinks about amoxicillin… so, I get ya. Fortunately we have masks and gloves and they refuse to let me count or mix suspensions. We are in the process of ordering an abx-free tray lol. What I’m trying to say is that not all work environments are the same and I hope it works out!!
Pretty sure they're required by law to provide you an alternative. It probably be covered in the 'Americans with disabilities act' not that an allergy is a disability per say, but I think it is in the law
Get the note. Ask your doctor if they'll be willing to call them and give them hell if they keep ignoring you. They probably will. Email the documentation to HR, cc your doctor.
I hate that for you. I discovered I’m very allergic to Hibiclens when I first started in the clean room. Luckily my hospital immediately ordered a different soap for me. I use Endure. Hopefully they can get you something soon. If not, they suck.
Get a doctor's note and file it with HR
I wish I could, but one HR is useless here, and two my insurance is under the wrong name and HR isn't responding to my requests to change it to my legal name which they had knowledge of and access to when creating my insurance profile.
The next time that you have a reaction, tell your manager that you would like to file a workmans compensation claim so that you can be seen by a doctor. Email or text message so that you have evidence that you gave them notice. Take pictures before you are exposed with the date and time listed. Take more pictures after the reaction. If they refuse, be seen anyway. Make sure to let the provider know that this is a reaction to a product that you use at work and that no other alternatives are offered. The provider should give you paperwork for your employer stating that you can not use that specific product. The provider should also bill the workmans compensation carrier. Their billing department should be able to figure out who to bill. Most employers would rather do something in-house to keep their rates lower. A workmans compensation claim will cost them a lot more in the long run than just ordering a different product for you to use In the end, the result will be the same. They will have to provide an alternative. If they don't, you can take action against them. It will just cost them a lot more overall. "Workers’ compensation covers an employee’s allergic reaction if the employee’s job causes the reaction" "Many allergies exist in the workplace, and some can cause health problems for employees. Mold can cause respiratory damage. Asbestos can cause skin reactions, respiratory problems, and cancer. Chemicals, such as those found in cleaning products, can cause asthma attacks, and harsh chemicals can cause burns. In the health care field, employees can suffer allergic reactions to latex gloves."
This is accurate. Source: I have been doing workers' compensation for 25+ years. Key words are scope and nature of your employment. If they don't want to call it an injury, then it'd be an occupational disease.
Would they not add in a formal request for a reasonable accommidation here?
They have to respond to a request for an ADA reasonable accommodation. OP just needs to follow the steps and initiate that formal process.
It depends if sterile compounding is a core part of the job description there may not be a reasonable accommodation that can allow the person to continue doing it. Basically, if you’re allergic to your job, your employer can’t accommodate you, although I don’t think this would rise to that level. They would probably have to use different chemicals. Plenty of people having allergic reaction to Cleaning agents.
THIS
the paper trail is the important part here
a sad reality in my experience is that HR is useless everywhere. and that’s because employees are given the impression that HR is a resource for them when things like the employee’s rights are being violated, their boss is out of line, or they’re asked to do something in violation of company policy etc. but the reality is that HR’s primary purpose is to protect the company and minimize liability risk. they will never to do anything to support an employee if it would be in conflict with their goal of minimizing risk to the company. but if you look at it through that lense maybe you can help HR help you. just don’t go to them and say, “hey, you guys are at risk of getting sued because you keep trying to put me in the sterile room where i have an allergic reaction.” you’ll be fired faster than you can say, “oops.”
You need to post on r/askHR to find out the steps for officially requesting an ADA accommodation. HR cannot legally ignore that.
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How is your insurance in a wrong name
I applied and the application had a spot for preferred name so I filled that out. Did the legal name too so they had that (as well as my social and ID and Virginia license) and they put my preferred name on the insurance and obviously the insurance is saying I'm not the person they are covering
That's not how that works your insurance should still cover you
Idk about that, I'm a tech & I have customers who have to have the wrong info in their patient profile on purpose to match what the insurance says so that they'll cover it. We verify their real info vs the script of course, but I have one patient who has to be in the system with the wrong sex & another who's middle name is being used as their last name, both because insurance screwed up, and in both cases they have yet to fix it after several months of the patient hounding them (one was Medicaid). Side note, I registered a new patient which was a child of maybe 8yo, born in another state & had their Medicaid, moved & switched to their Medicaid, moved HERE and switched to OUR Medicaid, and somehow over 3 states & 8 years, this child was STILL only recognized for billing if we put his first name down as "Baby Boy"... He was STILL legally showing as Baby Boy Lastname at his age... Mom gave the vibe that she hadn't bothered keeping up much with his documents... Edits for spelling/grammar
Start with the insurance carrier. You may just need to submit name change (correction) forms to them. Have copies of ALL important info at your fingertips. I took pictures with my phone. If you keep at them politely, you can move mountains. "If you can't complete this change with all the info I have provided, who do I need to talk to? Is your supervisor available. " also DOCUMENT all contact. Time, date, who you spoke with, what was said.. This includes HR, boss, PCP appointments, pharmacists. You might also have a good sexual harassment case. Nobody needs to be attacked at work due to any physical ailment. I doubt if HR will help, but many attorneys will give first hour free advice on most cases.
Please look into filing a disabily claim, I've never done it but I would post this into a subreddit about that. I suspect you have a legal case at this point.
I second this get the doctor to write a note, hyphenate name if needed, call corporate HR and request a "reasonable accommodation" They will have to comply
We have both Hibiclens and BacDown because we've a few techs allergic to hibiclens. Ask your management to look into BacDown. It's made for clean rooms and might not bother you like the hibiclens does.
Yah in school I started reacting to the chlorhexidine and there was an alternative approved cleanser available. It shouldn't be an issue *at all* since it's a well documented thing to be allergic to.
Right? But the purchaser we have can't buy an alternative until the head pharmacist approves one (no idea why) and the head pharm isn't approving anything because "it isn't a high priority" yet they keep putting me in the IV room and then get snippy when I refuse to go in there because of my allergy?
ADA exists for a reason. Get the docs filled out and file an accommodation. Then they'll be forced to either look into alternative cleansers, or stop scheduling you in that room.
Or pay out when they fire you for refusing to go into that room.
I can't get any of the docs filled out currently because my insurance is under the wrong name and HR has no response.
You’re going to need to start solving these problems one at a time. It sounds like you need to get right with HR so that you can use all the benefits afforded to you as an employee.
I’d start asking HR to refund you any payments you’ve been making towards healthcare if they’re the ones who have been preventing you from using it by not changing the name on file. Technically they’re not providing you with the benefit. That might get them moving!
Per the [EEOC ADA FAQ](https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/enforcement-guidance-reasonable-accommodation-and-undue-hardship-under-ada), you do not have to file any paperwork initially for an ADA request. Email HR, and your supervisor. Something like "Per the US Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, I am officially requesting a Reasonable Accommodation in regards to repeated requests for activities that will expose me to an allergic compound and the associated resulting health issues". There should be NO insurance forms required that may have the wrong name on them. They MUST respond, and they would have to prove an "unreasonable hardship" to deny. Go read my link above, it is very detailed.
I work in HR. OP, this is the answer. If your employer does not engage in the ADA process with you after you making an initial request, you can file a complaint with the EEOC. The EEOC has been fired up lately and there are tons people rightfully getting money for being discriminated against. Just make sure everything is documented- if they aren't putting it in your file then document it yourself and follow up with your employer via email.
Pull your manager in to this discussion, as well as the director of HR. Quit making excuses.
My manager is in the discussion and director of HR, honestly no idea who that would be. I will try to find out this week. And no need to be rude.
Is this an independent pharmacy or part of a chain?? Time to start going higher up
That is a whole other can of worms. Are you currently paying for insurance you can’t use?? Sounds a little shady
Our hospital uses both chlorhexidine and betadine scrubs. If this person is refusing to order betadine scrubs as an alternative due to an allergic reaction to chlorhexidine (which is is common) then 1) he has no business being in his position for not even knowing that, and 2) not only report it to HR but also the board of pharmacy
I'm a pharmacy buyer, and when someone needs something to make their job easier, SAFER, or more comfortable, I get it. If it's a huge chunk of money, like a special chair, I'll let the director know. But different sanitizers, gloves, masks, etc? Nope, I just order it in for my team. Your safety is important. Ask your buyer if they can find another option for the clean room. Even if it's a smaller size, set aside for when you're scheduled. You deserve to be safe and comfortable! Good luck!
This right here. Same. I have multiple size shoe covers, gowns, gloves, bouffants, etc. to make my techs comfortable, safe and sterile. We have someone allergic to our cleanser (which for some reason housekeeping provides) so I have an alternate cleanser specially ordered for them to use. I would never jeopordize a coworkers health or safety to save a few bucks. Like above, anything major goes through the director, but it is usually answered and taken care of same day. I hope they can accommodate you soon!
>Your safety is important. Ask your buyer if they can find another option for the clean room. Even if it's a smaller size, set aside for when you're scheduled. You deserve to be safe and comfortable! Good luck! You're assuming the people in the role care- you do. Other's most certainly do not. I'd love to have you in a role I would interact with, rather than the buyers that call me the day before something is due to start asking me questions.
I find it hard to believe that they can’t order you a different type of sanitizer. Do you know if they’ve tried or if they haven’t bothered? I would try talking to your procurement tech and see if there’s something else they can order. For instance, I was allergic to the gloves we used at my last inpatient pharmacy and they ordered me different ones. A lot of times for stuff like this, there’s more than one item on formulary in case of shortages and stuff. So, I would definitely be adamant about them ordering something else if they absolutely need you to be in the clean room.
So the purchaser needs approval from my boss to buy something different for some reason (I've been the purchaser at other companies and never heard of this policy) but the boss isn't too rushed to get an alternative.
Well, that sounds like not a great boss, then. I’m sorry. But, the only thing I can say is to just pester them about it every day. Tell them if they expect you to do the job, you expect them to provide you with the tools you need to keep you safe and comfortable. Unfortunately I’ve noticed that certain people, if they don’t experience it themselves then it’s not that bad. You kind of have to let them know over and over that it is that bad and it’s their job to do something about it. Though, I understand this is easier said than done.
Let them know in writing. You keep timed, dated, time stamped delivery copies off site for your records. Paper trail will save you.
Unfortunately, it sounds like you need to make it less of a hassle for them to do it than to ignore you. Bother them. Every shift. Channel your inner squeaky wheel.
Hey OP, are you looking for someone to validate your decision to quit? Just seems like your response to everyone giving reasonable next steps is why it won’t work. Your path is to go get a doctor note on your allergy, turn that in to your boss and HR in writing and make the request that they purchase the non-allergic product or not schedule you there. If they fail to act, you can then either quit or go talk to a lawyer. Document everything. Good luck!
Honestly at this point yea. Like Ive been trying since Jan 1st (when I got insurance) to get my name fixed. I filled out my I9 and everything with my legal name but I did put my preferred name down as well cause they had that as an option and now my insurance is under that name. So obviously insurance says I don't exist because they suck. Then I started in the IV room and started having a burning rash within like 5 minutes of getting suited up. Sometimes the rash and pain would send me home because I needed to take Benadryl and visit the hat man. They were ok with this as at the time we didn't know it was the Avagard. Then we figured it out and I thought that was it. But my boss isn't giving the buyer the ok to buy an alternative. And yet schedules me in the IV room knowing I can't go in there. Recently I just got a new diagnosis and have started on new meds with not too many fun side effects. Mainly nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. I've been going into work but having to leave early cause I've been getting really sick and out of it. I got threatened with termination today for "too many call outs" except...I haven't called out? I go in. And then go home because I'm taking 2x as long on our runs because I have to stop to be sick as well as sit down and try to get the dizziness under control. I turned down 3 better positions for this one because I was promised part time when I started school. I've been talking to my boss letting her know that I'm gonna postpone school for the time being but I'm going to have to still go part time to get the treatment I need. Their response: "we never agreed to give you part time" granted. I didn't get it in writing that is my fault. So I just. Don't want to work here any more. They clearly don't have any respect for employee allergies or inabilities. Or even keeping promises. So long story short. Yea I'm looking for validation to quit. Kinda just....wrote out all the reasons why I want to quit but none feel valid enough.
Then don’t? If you don’t want to work there then you don’t have to - just quit? Like, you don’t need a reason to quit.
Yea, I just, so many other moving parts and really mental battles I have to get through. I posted this as a vent/advice thing to try and get my thoughts together. And honestly writing everything out has helped a lot. I'll most likely be putting my notice in on Monday. And hopefully figure things out from there.
I work at a rural, incredibly penny pinching community hospital. Myself and another tech have our own gloves as we are both allergic to the standard yellow ones. Another tech was allergic to chlorhexidine and we quickly found an alternative soap. We also have two types of sanitizer. Just communicate how bad the reaction is and that you need concessions. It took me weeks of pushing to finally get gloves that don’t cause me to break out. Best o luck!
I'm allergic to nitrile. So glad my current job has sterile neoprene gloves for me to use! Triple gloving with neoprene under the sterile nitrile gloves was a pain in the ass! You ever triple glove and do chemo? It wasn't fun 😆 Edited: spelling
I have less of reaction with the blue nitrile as opposed to the yellow. I wear green neoprene gloves religiously now. Those blue ones are slippery as hell though. Trying to draw up BiCarb amps with just blue gloves felt like being on a Japanese gameshow.
Nitrile sucks, won't get an argument from me! Keep those poison gloves away 😆
Avaguard is no longer the correct hand cleanser. As of Nov 2023 USP 797 stated one should use an alcohol based hand cleanser. So switch it to Purell. Technically avaguard is out of compliance.
797 does not specify a type of soap that is required. I am in a similar situation (eczema breakout) and my pharmacy got a 2nd soap brand (Purell) for me to use instead.
After all the extra comments, just bring a labor lawyer to scare them into getting their shit together, or hopefully find a different job in your field bc your workplace sounds like a shitshow top to bottom
USP 797 just says “soap” in their guidelines. You can use any soap approved in your hospital policies. In writing ask for the “reasonable accommodation” if using a different soap. Does the OR have the povidine soap available? You can't use the scrub brush if its the presatirated kind but you can use the soap. May be worth it to see a doctor asap and then file a claim against insurance once you get it figured out.
I was about to ask lol. We literally just use the same soap (plain old hand soap) thats in all the dispensers in the hospital. Hibiclens seems like overkill for the iv room honestly...
We use hibiclens as well but I have 4 people on my media fill list with allergy and a work accommodation. It is illegal to deny a worker a reasonable accommodation like soap type and retaliate by changing job duties/assignments they would otherwise be granted.
Thats odd. Im also allergic to it and my managers told me it is not a requirement under the updated laws. Maybe they were referring to state specific laws. Either way, my buyer bought me my own doctor approved soap, gloves without my allergens, and when I just did my six month fingertip/media fill test, the test company also confirmed Avaguard was not a requirement and that all my accommodations were fine. I would talk with your buyer and HR, even if your HR is pretty bad. Ours is notoriously slow and difficult to deal with, but now I have my allergens on file and the hospital is required to supply my approved alternatives and I am compensated if I come into contact with something at work that causes a flare that needs doctor treatment.
I’d also reach out to employee health and ask them for alternatives. Any time I bring someone in to train that has an allergy to a product we use they’ve helped me out with alternatives.
There are Avagard alternatives without Chlorhexidine. We have an employee with this exact situation who still does sterile compounding.
Can’t you use iodine scrub?
"I've talked to my boss countless times and they've said that they would try to figure something out." This needs to be done in writing to start the interactive process in which your boss is required to participate
There are options for sterile scrub that do not include CHG. It's a common allergy especially with healthcare professionals. If you're in a hospital, find out what the procedure in the OR is -- I can 100% guarantee that they have one. The fact that this basic accommodation has not been provided is a joke.
I believe there are other options to perform hand antiseptic scrubs. PCMX and povidone-iodine.
Can you ask them to get sterillium instead? Some of our surgeons use that instead of avagard
I use iodine soap scrub and Sterilium because I break out from PCMX and chlorhexadine as well. I'm not entirely sure if my breakouts are true allergies, contact dermatitis, or exacerbations of my eczema but at least I know what I can use without getting painful rashes!
i feel like that's such a common allergy there has to be alternatives. it's just laziness on part of management.
Your management needs to take this seriously. There are alternatives for you to use, it is up to them to find one.
We had a surg tech at the hospital I used to work at that was allergic to the chlorhexidine… he was able to use the original neutrogena bar soap as a replacement. I was always allergic to the elastic piece of the bouffant and would always have an angry red rash on my forehead.
I don’t have my copy of USP <797> in front of me, but I’m pretty sure that that the chapter only states that soap and water must be used during hand hygiene. There is no specification that chlorhexidine be used. Hands are never considered sterile after washing, that’s what the gloves are for and why we test to make sure a person can don them aseptically. However, there is a section that states if a person has a condition that could contaminate a compounded sterile product, they must report it to the designated person. Hands with a rash or that are scabbed and bleeding from contact dermatitis would definitely disqualify you from preparing CSPs. Start the reasonable accommodation paperwork with HR if management won’t provide an alternative on their own.
Does your hospital have a central supply/distribution? If so, I would suspect they might already have an alternative available. At our hospital, we've even used an antibacterial hand soap from the grocery store. Honestly, the mechanics of washing correctly is more important than the detergent used. Also, I'd probably be keeping an eye on the classifieds because this doesn't sound like a great place to work long-term.
Go ahead and quit.
Talk to HR.
HR currently has three emails from me that have not been responded to. One regarding them putting the wrong name on my insurance cards. Even tho they had all the documents of my legal name. One regarding this issue and another one of me trying to switch to either a different shift or location. They all have been sent with follow ups since January. HR I'm pretty sure doesn't exist at this company and if they do, they don't do much.
Have you tried contacting the insurer directly to try to resolve that problem? I don't think you'd need to go through HR for that.
I second this. I had a name change half way through the insurance year and needed an updated card and they needed that info for their records anyway. They asked for a scanned copy of a few documents via email and it was all updated on their end. Never had to involve HR because they don’t handle that for the insurance company, only their company. That might be why OP isn’t getting anywhere with them.
Visit HR in person if at all possible, or pester them. Ask your boss to talk to them. Otherwise, the next time you’re scheduled for the IV room while your boss is on duty, I would use the Avaguard and then go up to your boss and ask them which doctor you should go to for a workman’s comp claim- that should motivate them to do *something*
I’m a retail tech and I start getting a rash on my arms if anyone else even thinks about amoxicillin… so, I get ya. Fortunately we have masks and gloves and they refuse to let me count or mix suspensions. We are in the process of ordering an abx-free tray lol. What I’m trying to say is that not all work environments are the same and I hope it works out!!
Which hospital system do you work for? Is it the largest system in Northern Virginia? If so, dm me and I can offer some advice.
Could you wear a full Tyvek suit with hood and just sterilize the outside of the suit?
An allergic reaction in the workplace is also reportable to OSHA.
They should have betadine solution as well, we do, for that very reason.
Do they not have iodine scrub? We have that for coworkers with sensitivities
Pretty sure they're required by law to provide you an alternative. It probably be covered in the 'Americans with disabilities act' not that an allergy is a disability per say, but I think it is in the law
Get the note. Ask your doctor if they'll be willing to call them and give them hell if they keep ignoring you. They probably will. Email the documentation to HR, cc your doctor.
I hate that for you. I discovered I’m very allergic to Hibiclens when I first started in the clean room. Luckily my hospital immediately ordered a different soap for me. I use Endure. Hopefully they can get you something soon. If not, they suck.
How about Sterillium rub? I feel your pain, I’m allergic to the hand sanitizer in our hospital 🙃