NOT TO CAUSE A PANIC, but just thinking...

**Joyley** · 10-03-2014, 12:23 PM

Last winter I had a patient who (hack, hack, cough, sniffle, sneeze, hack) was a "little" sick. She claimed "allergies" but I sounded the same as her in a week and I don't recall allergies being contagious.
So, this year, approaching winter, I would like to know if anyone out there knows if there is a kind of "bio shield" to attach to my pupilometer. You know, like a clear plastic shield which would adhere to the underside and not get in the way of the buttons one has to move.
I can't find anything out there. And again, NOT pushing the panic button, (ebola) but there are some pretty scary germs out there waiting to find a home.

**mervinek** · 10-03-2014, 01:05 PM

People drive me crazy. I have people who come in complaining that they were too sick to go to work, but decided to come in and get glasses. Really! I've asked people like that to come back when they are better and make a point to not help anyone until I have sanitized the area with wipes. When I worked in the lab, I never got sick. Now that I am out with the public, I get sick every year. Yup... I make sure I get a flu shot. Clorox wipes for everyone! Tis the season!

**ziggy** · 10-03-2014, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by Joyley

I would like to know if anyone out there knows if there is a kind of "bio shield" to attach to my pupilometer.

At the risk of being labeled a "smart-*a$$" I would say use a PD stick, that way you are at least arms length away.

**CME4SPECS** · 10-03-2014, 01:13 PM

try a surgical mask

**Tallboy** · 10-03-2014, 01:19 PM

HOLY FACECHEESE BATMAN

All the ebola has been flown through, or into my city.

**Joyley** · 10-03-2014, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by CME4SPECS

try a surgical mask

So..... Do I get to wear the mask? ('cause then it looks like I'm the sick one) Or do I force the patient to wear it? ('cause how do you politely request that?)

**SeaU2020** · 10-03-2014, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by mervinek

People drive me crazy. I have people who come in complaining that they were too sick to go to work, but decided to come in and get glasses. Really! I've asked people like that to come back when they are better and make a point to not help anyone until I have sanitized the area with wipes. When I worked in the lab, I never got sick. Now that I am out with the public, I get sick every year. Yup... I make sure I get a flu shot. Clorox wipes for everyone! Tis the season!

OR- the people who are trying frames on and casually mention they are waiting to see the Dr. regarding the eye infection they have! That's when I ask them to stop.

**CME4SPECS** · 10-03-2014, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by Joyley

So..... Do I get to wear the mask? ('cause then it looks like I'm the sick one) Or do I force the patient to wear it? ('cause how do you politely request that?)

I put one on from time to time if someone is obviously sick!

**opty4062** · 10-03-2014, 06:42 PM

My daily habits:
1. Alcohol wipes before and after each use of pupilometer
2. Clorox wipes on main area flat surfaces 3 times per day, at open, lunch and close
3. Hand sanitizer between each patient and after each set of specs in my hand, repairs, dispensing, fitting etc

I'm a germaphobe and my hands stay dry and chapped. But I rarely get sick which makes it worth the stinging hand sanitizer.

**rbaker** · 10-03-2014, 08:06 PM

The average eye care office is probably one of the most septic environments in the universe. The average eye care provider is a walking typhoid Mary. Thankfully we develop a resistance to most of the dreaded logies that one finds thriving on phoropters, frames and all the rest of the stuff that one finds in the office of any of the three O.s

**Chris Ryser** · 10-03-2014, 10:52 PM

Here is your new uniform for the opticians practice to keep you safe.

**Pdarnall** · 10-05-2014, 03:05 PM

I have recently started to wear disposable gloves. Cheap insurance...

**chaoticneutral** · 10-06-2014, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Chris Ryser

Here is your new uniform for the opticians practice to keep you safe.

Fantastic reference! It's pretty scary to clean glasses from some of the people that come into the office. It's like a staff infection waiting to happen.

**Robert Martellaro** · 10-06-2014, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by opty4062

My daily habits:
1. Alcohol wipes before and after each use of pupilometer
2. Clorox wipes on main area flat surfaces 3 times per day, at open, lunch and close
3. Hand sanitizer between each patient and after each set of specs in my hand, repairs, dispensing, fitting etc

I use 91% alcohol and Kimwipes. I also use flat cotton baby diapers but not during flu season.
Good tip. Concentrate on the the door knobs/handles. Maybe alcohol is good enough? Bleach might irritate my already compromised pulmonary system.
Concentrated dishwashing liquid and paper towels are probably more effective, if you have a sink. Virus and bacteria don't like flow.

**Uncle Fester** · 10-06-2014, 11:57 AM

I pity the bacteria and viruses that get into my body.

**oxmoon** · 10-06-2014, 03:27 PM

Hand sanitizers and other antibacterial products destroy your immune system and leave you more vulnerable to sickness than ever. People who are exposed to continuous germ bombardment have the best immune systems.

http://alignlife.com/articles/toxici...-immune-system

**Joyley** · 10-07-2014, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by chaoticneutral

Fantastic reference! It's pretty scary to clean glasses from some of the people that come into the office. It's like a staff infection waiting to happen.

I don't look too good in orange but where can I get the white one? Do they come in pink?

;)

**EyeManDan** · 10-07-2014, 01:33 PM

Kurk and Spok look like a couple of Rockem-Sockem-Robots

**Joyley** · 10-07-2014, 01:48 PM

So I'm guessing no one has heard of a kind of plastic "shield" or "barrier" that might hang from the bottom of a pupilmeter?
My co-worker told me to hold my breath. I tried that but the patient started talking, asking questions, and I'm right there!

.

**rbaker** · 10-07-2014, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Joyley

So I'm guessing no one has heard of a kind of plastic "shield" or "barrier" that might hang from the bottom of a pupilmeter?
My co-worker told me to hold my breath. I tried that but the patient started talking, asking questions, and I'm right there!.

As I recall some of the early pupilometers did indeed have a shield. It was supposedly to reduce the transfer of gopher breath rather than germs. They were usually snapped offand discarded by the second day.

**Robert Martellaro** · 10-07-2014, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by EyeManDan

Kurk and Spok look like a couple of Rockem-Sockem-Robots

You knocked my block off!

The older 'kid' is Rocky Graziano.

**Joyley** · 10-07-2014, 04:08 PM

Thanks Dick. I've tried searching online, but I'm coming up with nothing. But thanks!

**EyeManDan** · 10-08-2014, 09:01 AM

I think it all just comes down to diligence of the team. If someone is physically sick and trying on frames and measuring equipment, or just poor personal hygiene it our responsibility, all must be sanitized, we try to wipe the pupilometer after every use. If you want to gain points with the patients, wipe it down in front of them before you use it. will advertise a level of hygiene for the office

**Flux3r** · 10-09-2014, 10:08 AM

We're in Dallas and are asking patients if they've traveled recently while doing the workup. if they have been to the usual regions we ask if they mind rescheduling for three weeks later. its not ideal but we are taking precautions in addition to the usual increased sterilization usage. no patient complaints so far *fingers crossed*