Dirty Needle Stick

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

Hello everyone, 

Long story short, I’m a paramedic and have been for about 7 months. Been doing EMS for roughly 6 years and just recently had a bad experience. 

I was treating a patient when I went to start an IV. Ended up never obtaining flash in the IV and putting it down to the side. First time ever doing this and I know how beyond stupid it was to do. After controlling the bleed from the IV stick I went to pick up the used IV and ended up poking myself in my left hand at the Pam below my middle finger. I felt so crappy. I was in the back of the ambulance so there was no way to wash my hands right away. There was very minimal bleeding at the site. The bleeding stopped fairly quick and I used a alcohol prep to clean it until I reached the hospital. Patient was 27 year old. No known medical history. Only thing patient said was she smoked crack. Other than that no diagnoses. The hospital tested her for HIV, Hep B & C. The test later that night all came back non-reactive (negative). It’s only been a week and I’m still waiting to hear back from results but I am stressing out and worried to the point where I am getting bad anxiety and depression over this. 

I hate this because I have to wait 6 months to truly know where I stand. That’s why I am worried about her test. Just because it came back negative doesn’t mean she did not have the disease. 

Am I overacting? HIV has always been my biggest fear. I chose not to do the antiviral medication. Plus the facility advised me not too since the patient was negative. I’m terrified that I may of contracted HIV and I won’t be able to live with myself ever again. 

2 Votes
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Your exposure was minimal, the patient was negative. I think your risk is relatively low. Honestly one of the Heps is probably more likely than HIV! I think you will be fine. Hang in there! 

5 Votes
11 hours ago, Pixie.RN said:

Your exposure was minimal, the patient was negative. I think your risk is relatively low. Honestly one of the Heps is probably more likely than HIV! I think you will be fine. Hang in there! 

Hello. Thanks for the reply. While I agree it is low risk. I guess since HIV has always been my biggest fear, this happening to me has cause some depression. It’s been hard for me to concentrate on the job. It’s bad because according to the CDC, really I need to take blood tests at 1 month, 2 month and 6 month. Then I have to make sure I complete one blood test for a year for the next two years. That is crazy for me. I’m terrified I may have contracted this virus and I don’t think I would be able to live with it. 

1 Votes
Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

The risk is minimal if patient tested negative.

I'm wondering if you were given the option to take PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)? It's pretty much a standard option in my state within 72 hours after a needle stick and people would take the drug for ~ a month. Today's HIV meds are well tolerated. It might provide you with peace of mind.

5 Votes
32 minutes ago, umbdude said:

The risk is minimal if patient tested negative.

I'm wondering if you were given the option to take PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)? It's pretty much a standard option in my state within 72 hours after a needle stick and people would take the drug for ~ a month. Today's HIV meds are well tolerated. It might provide you with peace of mind.

Since the patient tested negative the company advised me to not take the post exposure medication. 

1 Votes
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
4 hours ago, NYCNative21 said:

Since the patient tested negative the company advised me to not take the post exposure medication. 

If you are within 72 hours, you can still opt to take it.

1 Votes
1 hour ago, Pixie.RN said:

If you are within 72 hours, you can still opt to take it.

It’s been four days. I’m last the 72 hours and now I feel even worse about myself. I’m terrified at this point and I really just don’t even know what to do to calm myself mentally. 

1 Votes
2 hours ago, Pixie.RN said:

If you are within 72 hours, you can still opt to take it.

Also the needle that poked me, when I attempted an IV on the patient. I proceeded to inset my IV and did not get any flashback. Not sure if I was ever in the vein. Now I can’t say 100% if there was blood on the needle or not but I can say there was no flashback. My question is.. is this still considered a blood exposure? Is the interstitial space considered bodily fluids that are infectious? 

1 Votes
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

It's an exposure because it's a sharp you used on someone, but definitely not much of an exposure at all. If you can, look into Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits with your employer so you can talk to someone. You are going to drive yourself crazy worrying about this, and you risk is seriously so low. Hang in there!! 

4 Votes
Specializes in LTC & Rehab Supervision.

On the anxiety side of things, I would talk to your PCP about the experience and maybe have them put you on an antidepressant or an anxiety med. It sounds like you need it right now, with how you're reacting (Which is totally normal, by the way).

 

Keep us in the loop. ❤️

2 Votes
1 hour ago, JabuJabule said:

On the anxiety side of things, I would talk to your PCP about the experience and maybe have them put you on an antidepressant or an anxiety med. It sounds like you need it right now, with how you're reacting (Which is totally normal, by the way).

 

Keep us in the loop. ❤️

While I agree with you that I may need antidepressant or anxiety medications. I don’t want to take them without first knowing my results. If everything comes back negative then all this would pass of course. It would only get worse if the results end up being positive. 
 

I very well may be overacting, granted. It’s just hard for me to accept knowing that I could have very well messed up everything I had planned for myself over something so stupid. Just the thought of knowing I possibly contracted a virus like this is beyond mentally exhausting .

2 Votes
1 hour ago, JabuJabule said:

On the anxiety side of things, I would talk to your PCP about the experience and maybe have them put you on an antidepressant or an anxiety med. It sounds like you need it right now, with how you're reacting (Which is totally normal, by the way).

 

Keep us in the loop. ❤️

While I agree with you that I may need antidepressant or anxiety medications. I don’t want to take them without first knowing my results. If everything comes back negative then all this would pass of course. It would only get worse if the results end up being positive. 
 

I very well may be overacting, granted. It’s just hard for me to accept knowing that I could have very well messed up everything I had planned for myself over something so stupid. Just the thought of knowing I possibly contracted a virus like this is beyond mentally exhausting .

1 Votes
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