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.
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.
It does not live well no. And I just thought that somehow by touching the packaging after the other nurse touched it to use for the HIV patient somehow there could have been a contamination. Logically I know it's nonsense but in my mind I'm really really anxious.
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.
It does not live well no. And I just thought that somehow by touching the packaging after the other nurse touched it to use for the HIV patient somehow there could have been a contamination. Logically I know it's nonsense but in my mind I'm really really anxious.
Thanks for replying by the way
How could it have been contaminated without visible blood/tissue? That's where focusing on the logic of the situation can help you recognize it is an abnormal thought and redirect your thoughts.
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
Well, had that dressing material been in contact with the wound or bodily fluids of the HIV patient?
If so, that nurse needs to be seriously counseled. The pt needs testing to determine HIV status.
Not to mention that the item was likely charged to the first pt and now it's been used on someone else.
What do you mean "the dressing was covered"? I don't understand.
ah, this is how us OCD people constantly think. Just remember to stick to logic. It is not likely to be contaminated.
OCD crippled me in nursing school. I was started on two different anti-anxiety/anti-depressants prior to finding a med that helped me. It's done wonders for my OCD, especially. I work as an RN in an ICU now and much less gets to me than before. I agree with seeking treatment. This incident was a mistake, yes, but I agree the chances of transmission are slim to none. Take it as a lesson learned and move on the best you can. I think the real root issue here is the passion you have for your patient's safety and the subsequent, albeit unnecessary, burden of caring for others.
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.
Wow, another nurse who remembers the days before gloves!!
Maria Spiteri
3 Posts
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.
It does not live well no. And I just thought that somehow by touching the packaging after the other nurse touched it to use for the HIV patient somehow there could have been a contamination. Logically I know it's nonsense but in my mind I'm really really anxious.
Thanks for replying by the way