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Self isolating before biopsy

MB123456
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Hello there,

 

I am concerned about a family member who is going in for a biopsy next week. I think they should be self isolating (?) but they have gone camping with 30 other people. Can someone advice me what to do as I'm concerned they will go into a cancer hospital having not followed guidelines and be putting medical staff and other patients at risk. 

 

Can some please advise me as it's really worrying me! 

 

Thanks

  • Offline

    Hello MB123456,

    You are right to be concerned. It's really not fair to risk bringing Covid into a hospital.

    I have just returned from a mediastinoscopy for the purposes of lymph node biopsy, and I self-isolated for 2 weeks beforehand, following the strict instructions that I was given. It wasn't easy. We had to partition the house so that I had no contact with anyone else.

    I also was required to have a Covid test 3 days before the procedure. In theory, if the test is negative and you strictly isolate for the following 3 days, the risk would be low. But the Covid tests are not 100% accurate so there is still a risk and therefore one should completely isolate for 2 weeks beforehand. No going out, no being in the same room as other family members.

  • Offline in reply to Roger_D

    Hello there,

     

    Thanks for your response. I'm sorry to hear your situation. hope you're now on the right tracks to recovery. 

     

    It sounds like you have been very strict which is great to hear. I'm sure it hasn't been easy but much respect and thanks to people like yourself! 

     

    I'm really saddened by my dad's response to this. The seriousness of this situation sadly doesn't seem to have soaked in. 

     

    I wish you all the best. 

    Thanks again for your response. 

     

    Thanks

  • Offline in reply to MB123456

    To be fair, MB123456, I should have added that it depends a lot on what type of biopsy it is. A needle biopsy, where you're in and out in a few minutes, won't justify full self-isolation. But whatever the hospital requests, one should of course do.

  • Offline

    Hi, 

    Yes I agree you are right to be concerned. I had an operation 2 days ago, NHS in private hospital where cancer patients might be. I was obsessive about my self isolating because I wouldn't want to bring covid to someone vulnerable. 

     

    However as some reassurance, the staff are tested every week, the room handles etc were cleaned, staff all wore PPE to come into my room, everyone's temperature checked entering the building etc, so I think they'd get on top of any infection very quickly.

     

    And for the quick blood tests I had beforehand, I didn't need to self isolate. A biopsy might be the same. I think now hospitals are really on it, it should be OK. Nice of you to be concerned though! 

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