Infected Needlestick

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi guys, I didn't know exactly where to turn to so I'm posting to help gain some personal insight and to calm my nerves.

Yesterday morning around 6 am I was giving a SQ heparin shot in a patient's belly. The patient was really thin so I had to try to grab a lot and I remembered telling myself to make sure I do not get stuck! Well I successfully administered the shot but the patient moved so when the needle was coming out he bled a little from the site and with the movement I poked myself on the left hand through my latex glove. I was frozen for about 15 sec cause I could not believe it!!

When I came out of my trance and lifted my glove I was bleeding and went to the sink and washed my hands and bled for like 2 minutes even though it was a small prick. I thought I was always so careful! Well needless to say the patients history is HIV+ and hep C+ and I am so distraught. I was so embarrassed I didn't tell my charge nurse I just waited until 715 and told my assistant nurse manager in confidence and she told me what to do.

I went to the employee clinic and had base blood work drawn his blood work indicated that he did have HIV with counts greater than 50 and Hep C+. She put me on a high dose 14 day aggressive regimen of combivir 1 pill 2x a day and kaletra 2 pills 2x a day. Guys not only do I need help from fellow nurses but also your prayers I know the statistics to catch anything is very low but I am so worried.

Has anyone else been through this? I have to get checked in 2 weeks 6 weeks 3 mos 6 mos 9 mos and 1 year. I will definitely keep you posted and any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!

Hi Guys! as you can see I had to tweak my username because I could not get back in with my previous name! I just wanted to update you guys and let you know that at my 6 weeks appointment I was Hep C and HIV negative Whoohoo!! and at my 3 month appointment I was HIV negative!! I thank God for His tender mercies and I thank all of you guys for your prayers and kind words! Of course I still have a 6 month and 9 month appointment but I know God will see me through that as well! Thanks again guys and provided I dont get locked out for eternity again I will keep you updated!

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Great to know!!! All praises due to God

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Yay!! I am so happy for this update! I was actually thinking of you the other day. Again, this is another testament to the power of prayer. God always answers.

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Perhaps true ... but sometimes the answer is, "No." Glad all is well so far.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Hi Guys! as you can see I had to tweak my username because I could not get back in with my previous name! I just wanted to update you guys and let you know that at my 6 weeks appointment I was Hep C and HIV negative Whoohoo!! and at my 3 month appointment I was HIV negative!! I thank God for His tender mercies and I thank all of you guys for your prayers and kind words! Of course I still have a 6 month and 9 month appointment but I know God will see me through that as well! Thanks again guys and provided I dont get locked out for eternity again I will keep you updated!

I am so happy for you!!!!!!

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Had my first needlestick injury in March. Talk about a miserable, embarrassing, and terrifying situation. Mine happened around midnight on a night shift with a heparin needle in the belly as well...right into my thumb under the nail. I had to go down to the ED. They gave me kaletra, truvada, 8 of zofran, and on I went with my shift when all I really wanted to do was go home and never come back. It wasn't even time for me to take my second dose of meds before the patients test results came back negative. The hospital called me and told me to bring back the antiretrovirals because they're expensive. I'm so happy for you that you found some piece of mind!

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I am so sorry this happened to you. This is every nurse's worse nightmare. I cannot imagine the anxiety you are going through. This happened to a coworker of mine (TWICE!) and everything turned out fine. If I remember correctly, the patient had progressed to AIDS and had quite a high viral load. I will keep you in my thoughts. Easier said than done, but please don't freak out. If, god forbid, you did seroconvert, HIV is no longer the killer it once was. With proper treatment it can be managed like any other chronic disease. HIV is also rather difficult to contract. Super hugs, friend. Keep us posted and I will definitely keep you in my thoughts. Don't be hard on yourself and realize, when that panic starts rearing it's head, that you will probably be absolutely fine:)

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Just read your update, lol. I'm so happy for you! Things like these change your perspective on life.....

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

Thanks to the doctors, nurses, and all the scientists who do research for the preventative meds and treatments for bloodborne illnesses. I do get peeved when people forget to give these people props when they're giving God all the credit.

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Thanks to the doctors nurses, and all the scientists who do research for the preventative meds and treatments for bloodborne illnesses. I do get peeved when people forget to give these people props when they're giving God all the credit.[/quote']

Thank you.

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Last year i was called into a patient's room by physical therapy. The patient got their IV caught on the bed railing and it ripped out. It was bleeding pretty bad for an IV getting pulled out. I immediatley through on some gloves, got some gauze and held pressure for a few minutes. Needless to say it kept bleeding, ALOT. Through all of this, i somehow got blood on an wound on my hand. (i had a deep, healing cut on the top of my left hand at the time). I still have no clue how the patient's blood got ontop of my hand when i wore gloves. Perhaps i bumped something that the blood touched? I told my charge nurse what happened, and she sent me down to the emergency room right away. I didn't that that was necessary but they drew some labs, to make sure i didn't have HIV or Hep C currently. Then they drew some labs on the patient as it was unknown if he had HIV or HepC. Nothing said he did, but you never know.

I was not started on any medications because the Doctor in the ER told me that even if the patient did have HIV or Hep C. My risk of contracting it through what happened was like 1 in 30,000. I would think a needlestick would be a little more than that...but you get the idea. It's rare, but CAN happen. Sounds like everything is being taken care of properly.

(Oh, and its been a year i've been tested and i don't have HIV or Hep C). Patient also tested Negative.

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I am so glad you were negative for everything!! I can't imagine your worry through all of this. I just had an exposure of blood in my eye, but the patient tested negative, so I am not as concerned. HUGS to you, and all of us nurses who take our lives into our hands every day.

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