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!!!

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I have. Not HIV+, but stuck myself with a big old cervical needle after it had been used several times during a procedure. Everything came out just fine. I pray it will for you also. The numbers are in your favor and all that bleeding after hopefully got rid of anything. Wishing you all the best.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Keeping you in my prayers.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/CVICU.

Thinking about you and praying for you!!

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It is pretty rare for anyone to contract anything via a needlestick. I wish the best for you. You should talk to someone you trust or seek counseling to help you deal with the stress and anxiety you will face over the next year.

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

I am very sorry this happened to you....I will keep you in my prayers.

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Ill pray for you.

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Worst. Nightmare.

Wishing you the best.

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I've been splashed in the face with a flush that contained a pt's blood and NS. (Long story on how that happened) but anyways, I got the same base line tests done, and so did the pt. The pt had nothing in her history, but she looked homeless, was very dirty and was pain med seeking.

Well, I started the Combivir, which made me incredibly sick. Upset my stomach, loss of appetite, lethargic. It's just an awful med to take, and I did it for 1 month. WHY a month? Because the hospital LOST the sample of blood from the patient. I never knew what she had if anything

I went on to take the Combivir for a month, lost a few lbs and got my blood drawn and tested at regular intervals for about 6 months I think it was. Awful experience. I ended up negative with everything. (THANK God in Heaven).

I'll say a prayer for you. Hopefully I didn't sound too harsh in my experience.

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It's not just "pretty" rare to get HIV or Hep C from a needlestick, it's EXTRAORDINARILY rare. If you have any questions, ask for a referral to an infectious disease specialist in your area. If the source is known positive, it should be covered. Thinking happy thoughts for you, any needlestick is one needlestick too many.

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Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

It is really rare to seroconvert. Really rare, about 0.01% chance from a known positive source. The cocktail you are on is the standard PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) dose but usually the treatment is for 28 days. Ask for a referral to an ID specialist.

And breathe. It will most likely be ok.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

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Prayers and love to you.

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