Exposure to Hep C blood daily??

Nurses General Nursing

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I know this may sounds dumb.

But I work in a rehab where I'm the only nurse for the evening.

I haven't been taught to draw blood.

I have to do the capillary finger stick and I get bad anxiety because 9/10 is Hep C positive.

I try my best to work on my technique but sometimes it gets messy where the blood is all over my gloves and its like I'm having a full on panic attack inside. I don't trust gloves! needless to say. I still feel super expose.

I asked for the vacuum that sucks the blood up but my job says its too expansive and then if i have to stick them more than once they tell all the other patients about it.

I make sure to wipe everything down and to keep my cuts covered. But then sometimes after i sensitize I notice a cut on my finger.

None of the other nurses draw blood its only me and take sometimes 10 mins doing it this way. Is it worth it to take a phlebotomy course?

Specializes in Critical care.
But yet and still you knew what I was talking about so wasn't that stupid was it? I hate for people like you to become a nurse. Thing is I admit if I don't know it all or need help. You're just a student and act like a know it all quite scary. Anywho, begone from my posts. You're not needed. BAD ENERGY.

ps why are you studying me and my threads.

Don't you have a test to be studying for?

This is an Internet forum- you don't get to decide who responds to your post. You need an attitude adjustment. You asked for help and they responded. Knowing the correct terminology is very helpful.

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This is an Internet forum- you don't get to decide who responds to your post. You need an attitude adjustment. You asked for help and they responded. Knowing the correct terminology is very helpful.

I also won't be disrespected. But yet you don't say anything about her horrible attitude. Good riddens to you as well.

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Specializes in Critical care.
what are you, the thread police?

i think the OP was asking advice from nurses, not pre nursing students:yes:

The OP was asking for advice period. If the person is knowledgeable and can answer a question or provide additional accurate info it doesn't matter if they are student. In this case Broughden was knowledgeable and only trying to help and seek clarification before the OP became insecure and had to put Broughden down for not being a nurse yet.

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The OP was asking for advice period. If the person is knowledgeable and can answer a question or provide additional accurate info it doesn't matter if they are student. In this case Broughden was knowledgeable and only trying to help and seek clarification before the OP became insecure and had to put Broughden down for not being a nurse yet.

Seeking clarification by being disrespectful. Before you jump in read the post entirely.

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Specializes in Critical care.
Seeking clarification by being disrespectful. Before you jump in read the post entirely.

I've read the entire thread and I didn't think they were disrespectful. Your post has been very confusing and as I said, they were seeking clarification.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I'm having trouble picturing the trouble with getting a drop of blood into an open peds tube.

A phlebotomy class is useful if you need to do a VENipuncture... which is a lot more difficult and has a higher exposure risk than a fingerstick.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

To me, whether a capillary tube can/is used is water under the bridge. The issue is that you are getting blood "all over" your gloves with a finger stick. I realize stuff happens--I have done IV starts where blood drips on to the stretcher/sheet, onto my gloves, etc., but you make it seem like it is happening regularly. In this case, I think you need to review how the procedure is done and make corrections. This is a procedure that can be done by tech--have your coworkers do their fair share so that you don't have to rush--when you rush, corners can be be cut and preventable mistakes happen.

Also, if you feel that the gloves being provided by your employer are not offering adequate protection, take this up the chain. You should not have gloves that are just letting blood/pathogens through. Bring this concern to management. I'm not an expert of regulatory issues, but if management does not do anything see if you can file a report (anonymous?) with OSHA, etc. No HC worker deserves to have a feeling of dread about exposure because PPE is substandard.

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

It sounds like the original question has been answered.

Please limit responses to those dealing with the topic of the thread only, and refrain from personal attacks, a Terms of Service violation.

Closing this now.

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