Last week my uncle was in quarantine due to his roommate contracting Shingles. Protocol dictates that he was to be in quarantine for signs or symptoms. Luckily my uncle did not contract Shingles and was able to resume activities after three days. However, the health care proxy (me)was not notified that he was placed under quarantine.
When I asked about notification, they specifically cited the HIPPIA act. I understand they are not allowed to share other patients information. But, what about my uncle and for the health care proxy to know that he is being evaluated for a potentially contagious disease? Has anyone encountered a similar situation and how did the facility handle this?
When a child in a classroom contracts a transmittable condition the school generally will notify parents of all the classmates that there has been a reported case of ________________ in room XYZ.
It would seem logical that the facility would notify a room mate's POA / Health care proxy.
They might even want to broaden the area and say that "this wing of the facility has a confirmed case of ___________ and we are monitoring all residents and will keep you notified if there is a concern" Something like that is pretty broad and non descript.
It might be interesting for you to contact the Health Department and see what they suggest for notifying family or POA's of any transmittable condition. It could be anything from COVID, RSV, Scabies to shingles.
Please make sure your uncle has the most up-to-date shingles vaccine. The most recent shingles vaccine, Shingrix, was approved by the FDA on October 20, 2017. This vaccine is recommended for adults aged 50 and older and is considered the preferred shingles vaccine by the CDC.
Are you saying that someone had shingles and your Uncle was forced to be in the same room during the isolation process?
I was not made aware of the isolation and monitoring of symptoms for my uncle as I am POA medical/financial as well as the healthcare proxy. I understand that due to HIPAA and Personal Health Information laws, they couldn't notify me that another person had contracted the virus. But I find it odd that I wasn't notified of the concern and/or monitoring of symptoms for my uncle. He has had the Shingles vaccine but that over 15 years ago.
I would like to know if this is normal Standard procedure that I wasn't notified.