hiv and infections

[Toadd35]

yesterday I had a patient who bled from an incision a pretty large quantity of blood. he was hiv positive. I didn't get any blood on my skin and had gloves on when holding pressure at the site but now I just keep replaying it in my head and worrying myself about some getting on me and I was just unaware. like if it splashed in my eye or mouth or nose without me realizing. I don't know if just being paranoid but I can't get it out of my head

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

What did you learn in your bloodborne pathegens class? If you're in healthcare, I KNOW you had this

yesterday I had a patient who bled from an incision a pretty large quantity of blood. he was hiv positive. I didn't get any blood on my skin and had gloves on when holding pressure at the site but now I just keep replaying it in my head and worrying myself about some getting on me and I was just unaware. like if it splashed in my eye or mouth or nose without me realizing. I don't know if just being paranoid but I can't get it out of my head

[Toadd35]

yes I know thank you everyone. I realize I was just paranoid bc I hadn't had an experience like that before and wasn't 100% sure I didn't get blood on me. I did my research and realize even if I did possibly get blood in my eyes, nose, mouth, cut on my skin, ect. without knowing that it is extremely rare to contract the virus. thank you everyone for making me realize how unrealistic and paranoid I was being. I guess i just needed reassurance so I wouldn't drive myself crazy with worry and I needed to educate myself more on blood borne pathogens which I now have. thank you.

[naanaankomaba3]

If you had gloves on and had no skin break, I think you should be alright but if you feel that you somehow had some of the blood in your eye then l suggest you write an incident report. However, the probability of transmission in your case is very slim. I wish you all the best

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Please get a fanny pack or some other type of carrier that you can wrap around your waste. They make special ones for nurses or you can also use the pockets in cargo pants. Purchase some goggles and also get a mask and keep them with you at all times. You can also locate the mask shield combo but the shield part of this can be difficult to fold over. If you already wear glasses you can get the eye shields that just fold over your glasses and protect your eyes and prohibit any entry of splashes around any potential entry points.

You must be prepared and not depend upon your employer to have these items at the ready. As you found out when the unexpected happens and it will happen you must have these items on your person! if you run it to assist with a code,put them on,when you discontinue any IV,put them on,when you draw blood,put them on! Not only will you be prepared it will ease your mind and you will know that you have done every thing possible to decrease your chances of acquiring a blood born pathogen or virus. Also stash a few pair of gloves in there.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I'm beginning to sound like a 1990's PSA from NBC...

The more you know... (cue cheesy music and a shooting star)

[misslindzee]

I feel bad that you were so scared about this! I actually DID get blood splashed onto my face (maybe in my eyes, definitely on my lashes) with an HIV infected patient. After educating myself and asking our medical director what the chance of transmission was it helped rest my fears. I've had blood splattered on my clothes multiple times and never really worried about it, and even got it on my bare skin, but when it gets inside of you that's another story! If any questions come up, contact your infection prevention MD or RN and educate yourself.

[Chaserr]

You realize it's quite difficult to get HIV from even a needle stick let alone having if be splashed on you. I wouldn't worry about it one bit.