What are the rules for chemo patients in hospital? I am in for a high temp and no attempt to keep me away from sick people has been made. I have slept on a chair in a waiting area, then a trolley in a bay, but I’m sharing a bathroom with very sick people. Should the bathroom be cleaned? It hasn’t been in at least 2 days! I’m feeling much better now, but temperature remains so I have to stay. But they’re not actually doing anything for me that I couldn’t do at home now. I want to go home to get away from the germs. No-one in here knows about chemo or picc lines.
Hi,
I am so sorry you are unwell and in hospital. Ideally you should not be near infectious patients and the bathrooms should be cleaned. I would suggest you phone PAlS at the hospital you are in as I’m sure that will sort out the dirty bathroom.
I hope you recover and get home soon.
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This is totally unacceptable. As an ex nurse, with the details you have given, I would ask to see the nurse in charge and/or contact your oncology consultant immediately to clarify why this is appropriate.
Unless you are on intravenous antibiotics (and even then you should not be in these circumstances) or there is an imminent forward plan for your care, you should be discharged or moved. Hospitals are at crisis points for beds but this should not be detrimental to the patient in your circumstances. Speak up, ask questions, it’s your welfare. Good luck 
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Thank you @indigo2 and @shade. The bathroom has been cleaned. I’ve managed to get curtains drawn around me which initially they’d refused. I’m waiting for oncologist, but will be discussing it with them. I don’t want to be a complainer, but I feel like the squeakiest wheel gets the most grease, and I’m by far the quietest and most compliant patient in the room. Xxx
I’m so sorry to hear what’s been going on with you @bluesatsuma - glad they’ve sorted the bathroom situation but worrying to hear how they are managing your care. Unfortunately it’s most definitely those who shout the loudest that get what they need. I’ve seen various people post on here as to guidance about how hospitals should treat severely immunocompromised patients but haven’t seen anything official on this anywhere myself.
Hopefully if they need the bed they can let you go home? How are you feeling in yourself? X
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I had a high temp on Monday and was told by the cancer centre at the hospital that they had no space for me and that I had to go to A&E. when I got there and checked in, they put me in a private room to wait for triage and then took me through to a private room for IV antibiotics etc. At no point was I left with others in a crowded area. I did use the normal bathrooms so they were shared but for everything else I was isolated. I think it’s definitely best practice to do that. I hope you manage to get sorted/home asap.
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Hi bluesatsuma
Thank you for posting. It sounds a very worrying time for you.
We are not aware of specific guidelines for chemotherapy patients in hospitals, but some may have local protocols in place. Your chemotherapy team will be able to let you know about this.
We would also suggest that you ask to speak to your breast care nurse, or your consultant as suggested by @shade and @indigo2. What you describe sounds to be well below the standard of care people expect and it’s important that your treatment team are made aware of this. We would also suggest that you ask to speak to the ward manager to voice your concerns and if necessary ask to speak to a hospital administrator about your situation as an inpatient.
As mentioned by @shade the PALS office at your hospital maybe able to help you resolve some of the issues. Here is more information about how to raise care concerns in depending on where you live in the UK, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
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