Tribunal upholds decision to keep 300-lb. nurse out of operating room

[balogna pogna]

I had never heard this story until reading the CBC website this morning:

A Quebec labour ministry tribunal has backed the Hull Hospital's decision to exclude an overweight nurse from its operating room because she sweated too much.

The nurse, who worked in the operating room for five months in 2003, weighed more than 300 pounds. She no longer works at the hospital.

Lawyers for the hospital argued her excessive sweating could pose an increased bacterial risk for patients.

In its decision released last week, the tribunal d'arbitrage ruled that officials at the Hull hospital were right to take that into account when they made their decision.

The arbitrator also noted the nurse had problems manipulating small medical instruments in the operating room.

The nurses union had grieved the decision, arguing the hospital hadn't done everything possible to accommodate the nurse.

The Fédération interprofessionelle de la santé du Quebec had proposed adopting a more flexible schedule and providing special scrubs that would prevent excessive sweating.

A lawyer for the nurses union was expected to react to the tribunal's decision later Wednesday.

[Hal Johnson]

At least she wasnt gnawed on by an alligator and then shot accidentally while trying to be saved.

[bradm]

At least she wasnt gnawed on by an alligator and then shot accidentally while trying to be saved.

I look at it the other way: at least the guy who was gnawed on by an alligator and then shot accidentally while being saved didn't get sent to an operating room that employed an obese nurse whose excessive sweat caused him to have an infection.

Aloha,

Brad

[Hal Johnson]

Exactly. See, it could always be much, much worse.

[bokonon]

I always wonder about unhealthy health practitioners. How dedicated can they possibly be to their profession if they won't even help themselves?

[NewRider]

Hull's Hospital's HR department should have a sign that reads "NO FAT CHICKS".

Edited January 24, 2008 by Guest

[bradm]

Hull's Hospital should have sign that reads "NO FAT CHICKS".

Only on the door of their human resources department; presumably the hospital would be OK to treat the overweight, regardless of whether it'd employ them or not.

Aloha,

Brad

[NewRider]

Post edited.

[phishtaper]

fat chicks are like mopeds. fun to ride, but ya dont want your friends to see you on one.

thanks folks. here every night. try the veal.