First SCARE

spitfire · Jul 12, 2000

Originally posted by memory:
After 2 1/2 years in the physician's office where I work, yesterday I "got" my first needlestick after drawing a patient's blood... Her lab is pending still...Luckily she was an older, "church"-lady, but still I am so frustrated at my carelessness.. It could have been a "high-risk" patient... and still with this "nice"lady, you never know...Anyone understand.???

Yes I understand completely,it is an uneasy feeling carelessness? It sounds more like an accident,don't beat your self up over it.But please don't rely on a "church" going little old person.They were young once and have a past.Good luck with your results..jeanne

maikranz · Jul 12, 2000

Originally posted by memory:
After 2 1/2 years in the physician's office where I work, yesterday I "got" my first needlestick after drawing a patient's blood... Her lab is pending still...Luckily she was an older, "church"-lady, but still I am so frustrated at my carelessness.. It could have been a "high-risk" patient... and still with this "nice"lady, you never know...Anyone understand.???

I stuck myself in '86, carelessly--left the needleholder w/ needle still attached standing upright on the counter. This was in the days when we were still learning about things,

and me, having NEVER had a needlestick in Chicago or NYC, coming to a small town in the South to one of the few places that (at the time) would treat persons w/HIV. The person was not infected and the only blood tr he'd had was an autologous

donation for elective surgery. I still sweated.

I assume the source patient and you had blood drawn for HIV? Liver function? Hep B/C? You are current with your HBV and tetnus? Now, take a deep breath--in-and-out--and review what led up to the incident and take action so that it could not happen again.

We are all unique, but I can empathize (sp?) with what is going on. I am thinking of you.

Mary H. · Jul 13, 2000

A needlestick is never a comfortable thing to have happen, there are so many unknowns involved and a long time to wait (6 months) before being reasonably certain regarding an exposure. Most of the time things turn out OK. PLEASE do not fall into the trap of judging your patients by their appearance. There were EMTs on an accident scene who treated an elderly (80s) woman they assumed was "safe," so they didn't wear gloves. The woman was HIV positive.