Accident

Is this a real-life situation or a textbook question?

I'd hate to be the nurse who left an uncapped, presumably dirty (why else would it be uncapped were it not previously used?) needle just laying around. I'd REALLY hate to be the nurse who caused a needlestick accident with sheer carelessness. If this is a real-life scenario, kiss your job goodbye.

There's no excuse for leaving a needle out and unprotected, dirty or not.

It's not an 'accident'. It's poor practice. Incident report for the injury and a serious chat with the unit manager, occupational health an probably your union

Zero tolerance, I say. With all the education, inservices and safety precautions available to nurses in 2014, this just shouldn't be happening as you described. The nurse who does this is an occupational hazard and should be terminated.

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One time when I was working in Day Surgery, I helped a pt. roll on her side, only to find a full syringe of propofol (capped) in the bed; the pt. had been lying on it. I knew who the offender was, and saw him sitting at the desk, yakking it up with some others. I casually walked out to the desk, syringe in hand, and said, "Wow, look at what I found in 'Mrs. Smith's' bed!" He/She sprang out of the chair like it was an ejector seat. It was a funny, and very satisfying sight. Thank goodness the patient was not harmed,and neither were any staff members.

Yikes! That was my thought after posting, too--regarding the patient being hurt. Because everyone loves rolling around in a bed with a dirty needle.

First thing first...it's NOT me! But this is a real life scenario that heard about in the community. I feel bad for both parties involved. I wasn't sure what all could happen in a situation like this which is why I came on here and asked.

As with any occurrence , it will be management's decision .

It sounds to me as if this nurse could be at risk for disciplinary action for jeopardizing not only patient safety, but staff safety.

This may have been one of the first concepts I learned in nursing school: the needle is still in your hand after you finish the injection; DISCARD IT IMMEDIATELY in the appropriate receptacle!

One time when I was working in Day Surgery, I helped a pt. roll on her side, only to find a full syringe of propofol (capped) in the bed; the pt. had been lying on it.

I would HATE to be that nurse. That would be a bad day!!!

I would imagine the nurse's history is going to play a heavy role here. If this is a nurse known to be excellent in practice, to have few to no other problems, such as tardiness, absenteeism, med errors, high patient satisfaction scores and gets along with others on the floor then I could see this nurse being given counseling and remedial education. If this is a borderline or poor nurse in all of those respects or others I didn't think to name, this could be a very swift final straw. Just depends on the nurse, the manager and whatever politics will come into play.

I agree. To address a previous post, it can be both sloppy practice and an accident--those aren't mutually exclusive. I'm not forgiving the nurse who left the needle on the table, there really isn't a good excuse for it, but it can still be an accident. The nurse should be on a very short leash, but I don't think she should be fired if this is an isolated incident.

At the very least, an incident report. Like many mistakes, hopefully this is one that will only be made once.