Can you get poked by removing an iv catheter?!

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I'm freaking out a little because I was removing an IV catheter on a patient yesterday and i held the catheter part. There was a lot of tape so I bundled the tape in my hand and part of the catheter too. At some point, I felt some pressure at the tip of my middle finger and the tip of the catheter. I dont remember now if I felt a puncture, but there's a small bump on my middle finger. I didn't notice any bleeding, but I just keep wondering if maybe it closed up already. That patient's chart also didn't say anything about bloodborne infections/viruses like Hep C or others.

The catheter didn't have a needle in it for sure. But I'm just paranoid I think.

Would that have been enough to poke me? And where/how should I report it.

Since you are a student, I suggest you speak with your clinical instructor.

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Specializes in Acute Care Pediatrics.

I work in pediatrics, and when I am starting an IV on a kiddo, one of the first things I do is show them what it looks like once it's inside their body. So I always have just the catheter out and let them play with it, squish it, bend it, etc. I have yet to have any injuries. ;) You're ok! :)

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

To the OP

Ask a Nurse to show you how a 20g IV works. Or just take one apart very carefully. The angiocath is very thin and pliable. I doubt it could pierce a dressing and a glove.

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OP, you have gotten your imagination worked into a tizzy, and I think the best thing to do is to get a catheter (without the needle) ASAP and try as hard as you can to stick yourself with it. You will soon find that it can't be done and move on with your life.

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

Why were you touching a catheter tip anyway?

You're fine. They're not meant to be hard. I was surprised how easily one twisted when I failed to stabilize it while I was trying to get my dressing in order.

What......

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Call me reckless but when I take an IV out, I'll show the patient that the catheter is a flexible plastic. I used to use a gloved finger to bend the catheter.

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Call me reckless but when I take an IV out, I'll show the patient that the catheter is a flexible plastic. I used to use a gloved finger to bend the catheter.

Surely you're not serious, reckless.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

If you are simply removing the plastic catheter, then chances are low that you "stuck" yourself enough to classify it as a needle stick injury.

Moving forward, if anything like this comes up, be sure to SPEAK UP, never under report for fear of looking stupid or being embarrassed-it's your health!

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Specializes in ICU/PACU.

Something similar happened to a coworker of mine, but with an arterial line. As she was removing it, something happened and she accidentally poked the tip of the catheter into her finger. It was probably a quick movement causing the poke and even later in the day she felt a little discomfort in her finger.

Like you, no break in the glove or skin but was still a little worried. Like everyone said, don't sweat it:)

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