Dried blood

Nurses General Nursing

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Have you ever touch a side rail and saw dried blood or touch a counter and saw dried blood? Do you panic? Or just simply sanitize or wash your hands. What's the chances of transmitted infection if the blood is a few hours old

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Med to High for Hep B/C, hepatitis can live in certain conditions for up to four days.

Very low for HIV

This is only applicable if you have some open cut for blood to blood contact

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What's considered an open cut?

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Broken area of skin where blood to blood contact is possible. I wouldn't consider a scab an open wound. Look at the CDC descriptions for blood borne diseases

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Is peeling of skin considered an open cut?

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

You know, every one of your posts has been related to your, I'm just going to say it, irrational fear of blood exposure. Are you sure nursing is a good place for you to be? A healthy respect for exposure is one thing but you crossed that line on your last thread.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

You should check with occupational health or your PCP if you're concerned. We can't give medical advice.

I personally don't get too excited about blood, because I always notice if I have a cut on my hands and cover it well. It'snot like a bruise, where I might find one and not know how or when I got it.

I've gotten pts' blood on me and just washed well.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I stopped to help at a bad wreck on my way in to work one night about a year ago. The other first responders and I had a few pairs of gloves between us, but in general PPE was hard to come by on the median strip in the middle of a busy highway.

About ten minutes after I left the scene I looked down and noticed a big streak of dried blood up my arm, blood that was not mine. Nothing to do about it by then. I got to work and washed up well and haven't lost any sleep over it.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Really OP- you need to get a grip. You are 100 times more likely to get something from the handle of a grocery store cart than you are at your workplace where you KNOW there will be exposure and have PPE to deal with it.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
You know, every one of your posts has been related to your, I'm just going to say it, irrational fear of blood exposure. Are you sure nursing is a good place for you to be? A healthy respect for exposure is one thing but you crossed that line on your last thread.

This.

I know we are not supposed to give medical advice, but I suggest you see a professional so you can seek help in your fears for a blood exposure; the way you post infers that your fear is excessive and eventually will affect how you deliver pt care.

Call your EAP or find a local therapist/psychohistory that deals with phobias and anxiety.

Best wishes.

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Eh I disagree with some of the posters, there should be a decent fear of Hep C in the workplace. There is a chance of contracting it if exposed to blood via needles, cuts etc. It is a hearty virus that cans survive outside the body and in some hospitals that a have a high drug user population, many of the patients have it and are actively bleeding (Liver, GI, abscess issues). I worked at a hospital in a poorer/drug infested area and at least one of my patients out of 3/4 was KNOWN to have Hep C. Universal precautions are always needed but I am extra careful when I know they actively have the virus.

Per TOS we can't give medical advice, but I think you are OK OP just wear gloves and tegaderm cuts.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.
Eh I disagree with some of the posters, there should be a decent fear of Hep C in the workplace.

A healthy respect yes. Irrational fear...no.

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