Afraid I gave someone a bloodborne disease

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I'm a new nurse. I've been off orientation for about three months. My hospital does community health screenings for diabetes and BP/cholesterol. I was volunteering at a screening and forgot to change gloves between my first and second patients. I realized my mistake after I pricked my second patient for the blood glucose test. In a semi-panic, because I didn't want to have to stick them again, I looked at my gloved hand, didn't see any blood, and wiped the first drop of blood away. Then I changed gloves and collected her blood for the test.

When I went home, I couldn't shake the idea that I might have given the second patient HIV or hepatitis from the first (keep in mind, I have no idea if the first patient had anything of the sort). A few hours after the incident, I contacted my manager, who asked if I thought there was any contamination. I said probably not. My manager gave me a number of the person in charge of the community health screenings, saying I could use it if I thought I needed to take action. After thinking it over, I decided I was probably freaking out over nothing, and that my fears didn't justify scaring the second patient.

I can't get this out of my head. I did some research online and found that the risk of HIV transmission via a needlestick or open cut is 3 in 1000 (0.3%). In a scenario like mine, in which there was (hopefully) no visible blood exposure and the first patient doesn't necessarily have anything, the chance must be less. But I think about it first thing when I wake up, and whenever I'm not working. I think it's stuck in my head because I'll never know for sure. I decided not to escalate this and I still think it might have been the right decision - I can't escalate it now.

I've decided to go to therapy for anxiety, because this is only the latest in a string of obsessive worries I've had for about two years. Knowing that it's probably in my head doesn't help, though.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

As you've already identified, the chance of transmission given the scenario you describe is at the MOST 0.3%, and is most likely non-existent because the first person most likely, based on percentages, did not have a bloodborne infection to pass on. And, if your glove did not have any visible blood on it, it's even less likely that you could have passed anything on. Take a deep breath, remember to change your gloves the next time, and move on know that you and the patient are just fine. I'm glad you've recognized that you have an anxiety issue that needs some attention. I've seen some nurses become so paralyzed by anxiety that they become unsafe because they're unwilling to take any action- too worried to give meds or provide appropriate interventions, so you want to make sure you don't get to that point. Good luck.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
1 hour ago, RN8903 said:

I was volunteering at a screening and forgot to change gloves between my first and second patients. I realized my mistake after I pricked my second patient for the blood glucose test. In a semi-panic, because I didn't want to have to stick them again, I looked at my gloved hand, didn't see any blood, and wiped the first drop of blood away. Then I changed gloves and collected her blood for the test.

When I went home, I couldn't shake the idea that I might have given the second patient HIV or hepatitis from the first (keep in mind, I have no idea if the first patient had anything of the sort).

With all due respect, RN8903, this mindset leans a little toward unfounded paranoia.

Observing universal precautions precautions is a prudent must, but come on now! Not changing gloves between patients is not a mortal sin unless there's a bloodbath everytime you stick a patient for an accucheck.

Maybe I'm being a little cavalier because I've been lucky. I've had an MVA's blood in my eyes and mouth and stuck by dirty lancets due to a patient's poor disposal technique. Back when I worked as an EMT, over 35 years ago, we didn't even wear gloves. The first time I saw EMS personnel wear gloves was 1984 and I learned what AIDS was.

I truly can appreciate your concern, RN8903, but let's not go overboard.

Leave going overboard to those who know how to do it, like us seasoned chronic malcontent neurotics.

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There are worse scenarios that could happen regarding passing on an infection to different patients. This is minuscule in comparison. Forget about it and be more cautious in the future.

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Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.

When I got to the end I had to double check what you said the first time. I thought perhaps there was a misread or typo and you had forgotten to change needles! If it was a lack of needle change, yes that should be reported. Even late, it should be reported. Small chance, but still, for your own conscience, I would do it. (I would in your situation - it would likely plague me)

But.....I think you really did mean gloves. So.....no. No reporting. Unless you are wiping blood away at the skin with no gauze with your bare, bloodied glove, you are killing yourself over nothing.

Getting treatment for your anxiety is a very good idea. With therapy, you'll learn that knowing they are unreasonable fears does help. Cognitive behavioral therapy can really help a lot. ? Good luck!

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Specializes in sleep.

Very valuable lesson... thanks for sharing, and for doing the right thing. Now live in the moment, and remember to change your gloves next time.

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Specializes in NICU.

Years ago we had to draw blood without gloves,so you really made an effort to work clean.Make sure you wear well fitting gloves,snug not loose,but I do not understand the position of your hand and how the glove of pt 1 got smeared with blood.Same for pt 2 ,what position was your hand in that a dirty glove would contaminate a wound area.

Go over it in your head plan what to do next time and be glad it is 0.3% ,universal precautions assume everyone can pass disease .

If no blood on glove,then take the counseling,that is too much stress to be under over nothing.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Risk of transmission from a needle stick is not the same as the risk of not changing your gloves. It's got to be lower. You didnt jab the person with a dirty needle.

Think about what Davey said, how just a few years ago no one used gloves ever. And they never thought about it at all.

Plus: I have consulted BOTH my crystal ball AND my magic 8 ball, and they both agree that no communicable diseases were transferred.

You're good.

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Hi everyone, I’ve been a nurse for 3 years now but I cannot shake the constant feeling of being a failure. Everything I do and every decision I make, tends to keep me over thinking on what I could have done wrong or better. This morning I had a patient who had a wound which I felt that it needed to be seen by a tissue viability nurse so I called her and she came. She asked me to bring a type of silver dressing which comes in packets and you cut the size according to how much you want. I saw this dressing in the treatment room and it was labelled for another patient so I went out and told her that we do not have. She asked me whether I was sure as she remembered using it on another patient. I went and got this dressing and I remembered that the patient in question is HIV +ve so I told her but she used it anyway. The dressing was of course covered but should I be worried that this is a mode of transmission

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Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.
15 minutes ago, Maria Spiteri said:

Hi everyone, I’ve been a nurse for 3 years now but I cannot shake the constant feeling of being a failure. Everything I do and every decision I make, tends to keep me over thinking on what I could have done wrong or better. This morning I had a patient who had a wound which I felt that it needed to be seen by a tissue viability nurse so I called her and she came. She asked me to bring a type of silver dressing which comes in packets and you cut the size according to how much you want. I saw this dressing in the treatment room and it was labelled for another patient so I went out and told her that we do not have. She asked me whether I was sure as she remembered using it on another patient. I went and got this dressing and I remembered that the patient in question is HIV +ve so I told her but she used it anyway. The dressing was of course covered but should I be worried that this is a mode of transmission

None of the bandage touched either patient, it was cut prior to being used, correct? (from my interpretation of the post)

I mean, it's against the rules, but it's not going to transmit anything, how do you think it would transmit?

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Basically yes a piece was cut to use for the infected patient, and then it was used for this patient, but I don't know whether the nurse before me using it for the infected patient took it with him to the infected patients room and contaminated it in anyway.

I know this may seem stupid but I really suffer from anxiety.

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Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.
12 minutes ago, Maria Spiteri said:

Basically yes a piece was cut to use for the infected patient, and then it was used for this patient, but I don't know whether the nurse before me using it for the infected patient took it with him to the infected patients room and contaminated it in anyway.

I know this may seem stupid but I really suffer from anxiety.

Think about it logically. How is HIV transmitted? Does it live well outside the body, without visible blood?

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