Eye splash exposure

Published

So I work in an infusion clinic and today I was giving an IM B12 injection. After I gave the injection I went to slide the safety up, but the safety did not encase the entire needle, so when I pushed it up it flicked a drop of fluid from the syringe into my eye. I immediately panicked and flushed my eye with 40ml NS. The guy did not report any medical issues and has no medical history of hep C or HIV. He also seemed pretty normal with no red flags. The guy consented to have his blood drawn in the morning and I got my labs drawn today and will hear back tomorrow. I know I'm going overboard because the risk is extremely low but I have anxiety as it is and this isn't helping. Any reassurance would be great.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

The only thing I can say is that if you believed that you had suffered an exposure, simply flushing 40 cc's of NS is inadequate. You should have utilized an eye flushing station for the recommended period of time.

This is not to say that you needed to do that. I am just pointing out that IF there was an exposure, your treatment was not up to standards.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes I realize that, there was no eye wash station. I did everything I could in my situation. The clinic I'm at does not have an exposure protocol to my surprise which caused a lot of panic and frustration. I was sent to get my blood drawn at a lab test now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion