Got a needlestick

liquidblue · Apr 17, 2007

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 know exactly how you feel. I had a needlestick last year (only mine was from a Vacutainer, not insulin, needle) and I seriously thought about quitting my job in the medical field. Thankfully, I did decide to keep with what I was doing, and I'm glad now that I made that particular decision.

The waiting [for tests] is NOT fun, I know, and you'll be in my thoughts and prayers!

oneLoneNurse · Apr 17, 2007

I digress here, but just experienced a non-retracting retractable needle.

Last night, I gave an insulin shot SC. We have retractable needles. Thing is when I brought the thing out I noticed it had not retracted. I was surprised because I did give the thing enough force to retract. Anyone else have this experience?

MsPiggy · Apr 17, 2007

I Feel for you, I got a needle stick with a butterfly it did have a saftey sheath but it flipped back & stuck me right through the glove before I could intiate the safety-Ugh I was just sick! Drawing labs on a pt being admitted for end stage oral opiate use, Thank god everything was ok & she was not a iv user & had no hx of hiv/hepatitis (she was actually a retired nurse & was very kind to share her med history with me), went for the intitial test & declined the meds as I am prone to anaphylaxsis to some meds & didn't want to take the chance, declined the tetorifice too..Go for my first repeat in 8 weeks I was told.

Try not to worry to much, it does no good to worry, but I know what you mean I SERIOUSLY am rethinking where I am working since it involves getting lots of labs on ivda's,,it's just not worth it..

I'll not be using those stupid butterflys again either!

Hugs to you, you'll be fine :0)

-Ms.P

TazziRN, RN · Apr 17, 2007

I digress here, but just experienced a non-retracting retractable needle.
Last night, I gave an insulin shot SC. We have retractable needles. Thing is when I brought the thing out I noticed it had not retracted. I was surprised because I did give the thing enough force to retract. Anyone else have this experience?

Never had one not retract but I got stuck once doing a DUI blood draw and the sheath didn't take, even after I heard the click. I just started swearing like a longshoreman, startled both the cop (who had never heard me swear like that) and the suspect.

GoldenLove · Apr 17, 2007

Aww good luck to you..you'll be fine. I had one too but mine was a 4 year old immunization patient who kicked the fire outta me. Small stick but still unnerving.

laughing weasel · Apr 17, 2007

We are all praying/chanting/hoping for you so I hope it turns out all right. Waiting ages you more than the war so just try to put it out of your mind as much as possible. I know that is easier said than done but try any way. good luck

fultzymom · Apr 17, 2007

I had a needlestick in the exact same way. The doc said due to the size of the needle itself there is a very low risk for transmission. But I do understand you feelings. It is so hard to wait. I found out that I was pregnant right after. Talk about a wait!! I worried because this was an older lady who was a nurse back in the day before they knew a lot about infection control. Everything turned out all right in the end. I am praying that all is well with you too!!

rita359 · Apr 17, 2007

The risk related to a subqu injection is very low. The probability of blood being on that needle is very low so the probability of tests coming back positive is very low especially if the patient was not positive. You already know whether the patient was hep pos as he was tested after the needlestick. So you won't be hep pos. As for HIV if his initial testing is negative the likelihood of contacting HIV is low also. The amount of blood you were exposed to was minimal, if any, and patients titer is obviously low if his HIV test is negative. You have done the initial testing and will followup with recommended testing so go on about your life. In all probability all tests will come out ok.

julieK · Apr 17, 2007

No need to stress, though I know what you're going through. I am going through the same thing. I got a dirty needlestick when a huber safety needle failed to retract. The pt tested negative initially, and it was such a superficial stick - only barely drew any blood. I have been reassured that the risk is absolutely minimal, but I still have to get tested in 6 months and again at a year. I'm pregnant, too, so there you have it....

There is nothing to be gained by obsessing about it night and day. Nothing you can do about it now. What works for me is knowing that there's no reason to worry until there's something to worry about.

Good luck.

-Julie in NYC

pie123 · Apr 17, 2007

Thank you all for your support. I just called the employee health nurse. No results are in yet. She said that the lab accidentally ordered the HIV test for the patient to be sent to an outside lab, so that's the hold up. She said typically, the patient is drawn by the hospital lab and results for the patient are available in 15 minutes, and it's the employees labwork that is sent to an outside lab. To be frank, I am so pissed. I have been waiting for 3 days now, for something that could have been taken care of in 15 minutes.

eltrip · Apr 17, 2007

Pie123, I understand what you're going through. I rec'd a needlestick from an HIV+ patient in '95. I was wearing gloves & have never been so thankful to have missed a vein! It was 3 months of agony while waiting. My (now ex-) husband didn't help matters much. I did my best to not think of it but I know how difficult it is to not let it consume every waking moment of your time.

I tested negative every time for HepC & HIV & still continue to do so. I've gone on to have 2 children who are beautiful & healthy.

It gets better and life will go on. I'll be praying for you.

eltrip

pie123 · Apr 17, 2007

The employee health nurse just called. So far, Hepatitis and HIV are negative. I retest in 3 months and again at 6 months.