Hi, im a single 31yr old OR nurse. About 8 months ago, I was stuck in a substerile room with a 18g hollow core needle. Someone had left it at the sink and I did not notice it. It was laying on a towel with some instruments and I was putting them away and It stuck me. Like an idiot, I did not think anything of it. I left the hospital and the next day a co-worker asked me if I went to the ER. I told her I had worked over 2 hours and really, I forgot. It was such a busy night. The hospital's employee health said there was nothing they could do. They wouoldn't even do a courtesy test. I called the local health dept. and scheduled a test in Oct 2000. It came back negative. For the next 6 months I was worried, but just knew everything would be allright. In Feb 2001, I had my 6 months test. It was negative and I was overjoyed. I recently started traveling nursing in the OR. Last Thursday, I was stuck with a suture the surgeon was using to close the peritoneum. This time I went to the ER and sat 3 hours for a preliminary test. I was told to follow up with Employee Health on Tuesady of this week. Tuesday, I was told that I could not be seen because I was not an employee of the hospital.I asked of my test results on Thursday and about the patient's and was told they knew nothing about it. Today after work, I walk in the door and the phone is ringing. Its the ER physician I saw last week. He told me my test came back positive. I didn't believe him. I mean, I just was tested in Feb and told him the results were negative. He told me to have the Western Blot test because sometimes, but in a minute cases, there is a false positive. I am so scarred. What will become on my career?? Can I be terminated?? How do I tell my family? I can't stop crying. My mind is so confused. I can't remember treatment options. My life is over. Please someone just help. I have prayed for hours and I feel numb. I'm scarred, confused, and I just don't know what to do. RH
Request retesting immediately and preventive meds recommended here NOW.
If member of a union, file claim with workmans comp attorney immediately, or obtain outside attorney. Keep us informed.
Your story illustrates why we need to report needlesticks immediately, even if we think "It will really never happen to me" or "I don't want to take the time to get tested."
Thanks everyone. Thanks for the prayers. I found out Fiday that th eWestern Blot came back negative. I did not believe them, so I asked to see the results with my own eyes. It was the best news I have ever heard. I cried in the employee health nurse'e office. I had ben carrying this around for 3 days and felt like I was going to explode. I had been praying and asked GOD to take control.. I was not strong enough to handle it. He answered my prayers for comfort and healing. I believe I was positive. I can't explain it. I just know HE healed me. I have a new prospective on life. I told my family after I found out the good news. They were mad at me for keeping it to myself, but they were 39 hours away and would have been worried and I was trying to keep them safe. Again thanks,
Thank God! You have constantly been in my heart and mind. That is a nurses greatest fear. I can't imagine what you've been through the past few days. Thanks for the good news, finally a breath of fresh air here! :)
Thats very good news! Please do not now that you are negative get away with the way they treated you though. It could happen again and they should not get away with treating you like that
Hi OR-RN I just read your posting and I am truly sorry for what you have been going through. I know your mind must be going in a thousand different directions. But please stop and take a few deep breaths. Talk to your family and and all the other people that love you. Get some sound advice (note the addresses from other postings) See a doctor ,preferably a specialist. You shouldn't go through this alone. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sue
I just let out a sigh of relief as I read your post of receiving the neg western Blot. Wshooo!!!!
There are many studies out there that support early treatment with meds after needle sticks. Most say around 80% of people who have early tx will not become HIV positive.
. Case-control study of HIV seroconversion in health-care workers after percutaneous exposure to HIV-infected blood - France, United Kingdom, and United States, January 1988-August 1994. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1995;44:929-33. [Medline Link] [Context Link]
2. Cardo DM, Culver DH, Ciesielski CA, Srivastava PU, Marcus R, Abiteboul D, et al. A case-control study of HIV seroconversion in health care workers after percutaneous exposure. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Needlestick Surveillance Group. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1485-90.
This makes me angry that they blew you off. You should make them sweat a little so it doesn't happen again. You would probably have a good suite also.
That's wonderful about your test results! I work with HIV+ patients. I would advise everyone to be aware of taking necessary precautions, including taking antiretrovirals until you have had the "final" test. HIV does not HAVE to be the kiss of death nowadays. :)
NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN
10 Articles; 19,195 Posts
Dear OR Nurse:
Here is the direct link to CDC:Guidelines for Needlestick injuries Post-exposure to HIV and other blood pathogens
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/blood/hiv.htm
Request retesting immediately and preventive meds recommended here NOW.
If member of a union, file claim with workmans comp attorney immediately, or obtain outside attorney. Keep us informed.
Your story illustrates why we need to report needlesticks immediately, even if we think "It will really never happen to me" or "I don't want to take the time to get tested."
Sending healing vibes your way.