In hospital waiting for a new hip and the ward next door has a Covid case. I really don't know what to do.

[LarkinThey]

I've been waiting a couple of years to get to this stage. I just overheard a nurse telling off an orderly outside bay next door. She had just been in to a personas bay and as she came out was told she shouldn't have been as the patient has Covid - unconfirmed I think as yet from what I heard but my consultant has already told me I'm
20X more likely to die if I catch it in the days following my operation.

I'm now so scared and wondering whether to just put up with all the agony I'm in and postpone or whether that would be a stupid move.

Tough call, OP. However, COVID will be around for a long time yet and 20x more likely to die is still pretty unlikely to die. I would probably go for it but only you can decide on this one.

Ask your consultant, they are the person best able to give you specific advice based on the situation at the hospital and the risks of your operation.

I am so so sorry that you are facing this.
Difficult to give an answer - depends on what other health issues you have.
The reality is that there is COVID all over the UK -it is going to be impossible to keep it out hospitals -maybe even for the next yr or two.
In reality the staff are probably as terrified as you - ask to speak to your surgeon or anaesthetist - it will help.

It's tricky as I overheard the nurses when I was waiting to go to the toilet. So don't want to cause a mass panic amongst other patients who've already had their procedures. Is a small hospital. 4 beds to each ward bay.

They don't just stick covid patients into bays with other healthy patients laying through the curtain.
If they are doing this I'd be very, very concerned about they're knowledge of infection control

Nurse has just been around said that the patient hasn't had it confirmed, has been on the ward alone as soon as she displayed symptoms doors are shit and following strict protocol.

I am still concerned but slightly less so. Thing is I guess the only difference from half an hour ago is that I know

I have four DC at 3 different schools , I'm probably worse off when at home anyway?

@Greysparkles

They don't just stick covid patients into bays with other healthy patients laying through the curtain. If they are doing this I'd be very, very concerned about they're knowledge of infection control

No they don't but this patient could have developed symptoms suddenly whilst being treated for another condition. They could have had a negative test on admission but still possible to pick it up as an inpatient. Until test results comes back they can't just shove them into a covid ward. NHS staff are not all having regular tests - something I wrote to my MP about as he was one of the many who voted against doing so.

I think the hospital has a responsibility to tell you if COVID is confirmed. You can't consent to the procedure in reality, otherwise - if you went ahead and caught it, you could sue the pants off them for not sharing this kind of news. You should go into that surgery with all the information of the risks you're realistically taking.

I'm facing major surgery soon (hopefully, we'll see) and I've read the study that talks about you having 16 times (?) the risk of dying if you get COVID after. My limited memory of reading it tells me that that's likely only if you are vulnerable in other ways - I think many in the study were older/male/not in good health - because they were surgeries that were being carried out for urgent reasons at a time when risk was greatest, so surgeries that were vital and on people in v poor health. I could be wrong but I don't think every single person who goes through surgery literally has 20x the risk of dying. My surgeon is extremely unconcerned about operating on me but then I am otherwise in really good health/female/young/not overweight etc.

I'm sorry you're in this position. I don't think I'd go ahead in your shoes if you hear it's definitely a positive case of the virus and you think you've been exposed.

I feel like going with my gut and going home to be honest

Which feels a touch irrational. But my hip isn't life threatening.

I would weigh up your age, general health and COVID associated risk factors, and how long you are expected to be immobile following surgery (as immobility is associated with pneumonia).

I am op - name change didn't work 🙄.

I am overweight but not super morbidly obese. I'm going to stay I think I'd be silly to go and wait even longer plus I don't think the Covid situation will get any better

Plus am only 35 - well not only but young for a new hip. I'm fairly mobile too - had a gut cut and shut last year or so (cancer scare) and was up and about super quickly

If you're only thirty five and otherwise in good health, I'd say go for it. As you say, COVID isn't going anywhere anytime soon and the impact on your quality of life being free of pain and able to move for the next couple of years would be significant.

How are you op? Hope it went well today.I had an op last week -everyone had a covid test 3 days before. The hospital has been newly rebuilt and the surgery dept has 50 individual rooms and 2 wards . I stayed overnight in my own room as wasn't well enough to be discharged. I felt safe-everyone wore masks and gloves and they did warn me about the potential of catching covid however they are the nominated "covid free" hospital in the trust. I felt the benefits of the op outweighed the possibility of catching covid.

I'm still waiting to go down. Should be after lunch.

That's good to know thank you - did you self isolate after for a while?

Lots of luck with it. I hope it goes as well as possible

Thank you 😊

They mumbled something about self isolating for 2 weeks after but it wasn't very clear! I didn't get my discharge notes as their computers crashed and the hospital was in chaos. I actually haven't left the house yet as my surgery was more extensive ( ovarian cysts) so I have been hobbling around the house and can't drive for another week. I also have 3 kids going to 3 different schools with various positive cases being e mailed over on what seems a daily basis. So just keeping my fingers crossed I don't catch any colds/coughs until my stomach heals. Good luck OP-the hanging round is the worst part xx

Good luck with the operation. My husband had a heart operation in May and had to isolate for a month, no going nowhere at all apart from walking around the garden.

Good luck, OP!

Good luck OP. Hope all has gone well x

Make sure you take all the laxatives they give you! The painkillers will do a number on your digestive system and you don't want to be kept in longer than needed while they clear it!

At the hospital i work at their are cases all. Over and as soon as someone is suspected theyre isolated.
I think it's unfortunate youve overheard a conversation but any in a hospital right now will more than likely be on wards next to others wards that are full with covid positives.
I personally wouldnt worry

did you stay OP?