Got a needlestick

ranchwife · Apr 17, 2007

pie123----Know that my prayers are with you now while you "hurry up and wait" for the results!!! Luckily, I have never had a needlestick in 14 years as a nurse, but I have known plenty who have and I have been a shoulder for most of them to cry on!!! you are in my thoughts and prayers!!

allnurses Guide · Apr 17, 2007

I got a needlestick after giving insulin to a patient yesterday. I did the protocol and went to our ER, had blood drawn, etc., as did the 'source patient'. I followed up today with the employee health nurse, and was told that the Hepatitis was negative and now we wait for the HIV part, which should be in tomorrow. There is nothing like Hepatitis of HIV in this patient's history, that I got from his history, but who knows. I have been terrified, and going through a range of emotions: angry, crying, depressed. And I think to myself, "Man, this job is not worth having to deal with this."
The ER doctor told me that the risk of exposure is so low from this type of needlestick, that the risks of starting HIV meds outweighs the benefits. I confirmed this with the Infection Nurse, and she said the same. So now I just wait....which is the hardest!

I understand what you are going through. I was assisting an ER physician with a procedure last year and she stuck me with a dirty needle. I was lucky it was a very small bore needle, but the patient was a known Hep C patient. It was very disturbing! All my tests came back negative, but it made me very nervous the next few times I had to assist anyone with an invasive procedure.

I also did not go on the HIV meds because the risk was low, and the complications with the meds are high.

Good Luck! Keep us informed how test results come out.

mamalle · Apr 17, 2007

hope everything comes out okay. I have been there and its unnerving. first one was the 1st weekend I was on my on in the ER. the other was a guy that smashed a picture in one of the examing rooms and tried to filet himself to death. another nurse and myself got pieces of glass under or gloves. both time I took the meds until cleared. didnt have the stat HIV tests back then. hang in there..

TazziRN, RN · Apr 17, 2007

Been there, done that, never gotten anything. You'll be fine.

crissrn27, RN · Apr 17, 2007

Try to remember that the risk from a insulin needle, especially after a subq inject., is practically zilch. I know "practically" zilch is not all that comforting when its you. Hang in there, let us know when everything comes back OK!:icon_hug:

pie123 · Apr 17, 2007

Thank you all so much for the responses! It's nice to know that I have the support of my fellow nurses!

Even after I get the results, I was chatting with another infection nurse who told me that those initial results really mean nothing because it can take up to 12 weeks for anything to show up. Hence the retest in 12 weeks. I cannot remember how the retesting goes, it is 1 month, then 12 weeks? I thought I read somewhere that one is retested in 1 month. I can't remember. I just want this to be over and end well. Do I need to stress out for 12 weeks? I will not make it. Seriously, I will be in a mental facility.

I want to go back to being planning for our move and buying a new house with my husband and planning for my new job. I just want this to be over and end well.

TazziRN, RN · Apr 17, 2007

Don't stress out, there is absolutely nothing you can do. The first test you had done is a baseline, to prove you are not already infected. The serials will be to check for conversion. HIV conversion from a needlestick, while it happens, is pretty rare. You're more at risk for Hep C, and the fact that you stuck yourself with a subcu needle lowers that risk even more.

I've been stuck so many times I've lost count, including with needles used with septic pts and one HIV positive pt. I've never contracted anything. Even if you do convert, there is absolutely nothing you can do to prevent it or take care of it until you get a test result, so why develop an ulcer now?

CRNI-ICU20 · Apr 17, 2007

You have all this going for you:

1) small needle...subQ

2)low risk patient...no HX of Hep/or HIV

3)immediate treatment

4)education and awareness

Yes...this is stressful...the waiting. The news should be only good...because of the above...

I have been stuck lots of times in twenty years...only twice with a dirty needle...the two bad ones were from needle holders where they were too full, and I placed my hand on a needle sticking out of the needle holder slot that hadn't fallen completely inside the holder. These were "unknown" source needles...so it was treated as if they could be HIV or HEP infected needles....I did not take the coctail, until the results came back....which were both negative...so yes...the waiting is stressful...but you have learned a very REAL reality about our profession....WE HAVE A DANGEROUS JOB...

I hope and pray you are cleared.

Blessings,

CRNI

firstaiddave907 · Apr 17, 2007

I hope everything works out for you.

RN BSN 2009 · Apr 17, 2007

keep us updated!! please

jill48, ASN, RN · Apr 17, 2007

I've had one in eleven years. Dirty needle; sub q after giving an insulin injection. Everything came back negative. My husband is a high rise window cleaner and he thinks my job is more dangerous because of needle sticks.