Needle Stick on myself, Oops

Nurses New Nurse

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The bad news: I stuck my self with a needle this week.

Now for the good news, I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by not switching to Geico.:chuckle

Actually, the good news is that it was before I stuck the patient. So neither the pt nor I had to get the blood drawn for those tests.

What happened I was giving my pt insulin shot of 2 units regular insulin, I grabbed their arm with my right hand, had just uncapped the needle. And as I was starting to stick the pt, they moved, and instead of going into the pt, it went into my right index finger. And I think I injected myself with two units. Stop throw the needle away, and then told the charge RN.

Got sent to the ER. Now my unit will not let me live it down. The samething happened on my previous unit where I was a tech, when I got sick with the GI Bug, and threw up on the nurses station. Got sent to the ER that day. They did not let me live it down, they still won't, and when one of my former co-workers saw me in the ER, they just asked what I did this time.

Actually, I think it is funny. And I am getting a lot of laughs from it. Hey, laugh, cause I couldn't stop doing that even in the ER Tuesday evening. And thank god it happened before I stuck the pt instead of after!

I am now 16 weeks into Nursing. And I am about to go on vacation. See you guys in a week.

Adam, RN

Hi. everyone. I am so so so scared!!!! two days ago I had a needle stick while opening pen lancets after fingerstick 96 year old man who is on hemodyalysis. Is:madface: anybody had the same experience ? What are the chance to get Hep C or HIV. Please respond:madface:

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Hi. everyone. I am so so so scared!!!! two days ago I had a needle stick while opening pen lancets after fingerstick 96 year old man who is on hemodyalysis. Is:madface: anybody had the same experience ? What are the chance to get Hep C or HIV. Please respond:madface:

Hi and welcome to AllNurses.com, Gilda. Has this man been tested for HIV or HepC?

Hopefully someone will come around to help. If not, you may want to post a new thread.

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Specializes in LTC.

Gilda,

So sorry hun. That must be scary indeed. I can't tell you what your chances are that you contracted anything, but the question in my mind is did you report it and follow your facility's protocol for needle sticks? There are some specifics steps that can be taken that can help prevent contracting certain diseases, but you need to act quickly. If you haven't spoken with a supervisor or infection control nurse (if your facility has one) I urge you to do so immediately.

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thank you for responding. I reported right away. The patient HepC+. I am so scared. I can't sleep. eat or function. I also have nausea and upper quadrant discomfort. Can it be related to stress or be psycological. How soon the symptoms appear? I will be tested in 2 weeks for Hep C. But my symptoms killing me. Is anyone had these symptoms after two weeks of exposure? Please help ! Thanks

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Gilda,

I'm so sorry this has happened to you, and I really think what you're feeling right now is not symptoms of Hepatitis C (if you are even infected). Stress can make you feel bad, and it's probably just psychosomatic right now. The CDC says that the chance of getting infected from a needlestick from a Hep C+ person is 1.8%. Take a deep breath (I know it's hard) and just get tested as soon as possible. The statistics are in your favor.

-Jamie

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:icon_hug: I'm sorry to hear that happened Gilda! Just know everyone is here for you and definetly pulling for you! Let us know what happens...

As for needle sticks, a fellow student and I were admitting a new C-Sec baby he was trying to give her the Vit K shot and accidently stuck himself first. My instructor was of course not pleased but instead of being understanding she embarrassed him in front of all of us and the new daddy too. It's not like he was going to stick it into the baby after that or anything so I don't see why she had to react the way she did but I do understand the seriousness of it.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice, Home Health.

just slow down...thank GOD it wasn't a dirty needle

linda

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Since I just went through that whole testing thing because I got a blood splash in my eyes ( I didn't do it to myself-it was a really freak accident) I can tell you the odds of sero-conversion:

HIV-0.3%

Hep C 10%

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