Is this really a needlestick injury?

Trauma Columnist · Jul 14, 2006

Good morning. Yes, I would call that a needlestick injury if my understanding is correct? The patient had an IV line with normal saline running and you accessed the NS port with a needle, then injected the saline through the IV line to clear it? Just curious - was this a needleless system, so you first removed the needle before injecting it? I would advise contacting your occ health dept but be prepared to explain why you didn't do anything at the time.

The chance for any type of transmission is probably nil but you want to be safe and obviously if you are still worried about it, you need some reassurance.

deanaRN · Jul 14, 2006

The needle wasn't anywhere but in the port of a hanging IV bag of saline, correct? Then you took off the needle, accessed the needless port to flush, then stuck your finger? All accidental sticks are "needlesticks injuries" and should be reported but I would not think this could cause any transmission...but if this is a month ago...

Hoozdo, ADN · Jul 14, 2006

About a month ago...I needed to flush a line that was backing up, I drew some saline out of the bag that was hanging. Flushed the line on a needless system, but the line wasn't completely clear so... I reattached the needle, as I was going to draw more saline out of the bag, I missed the port and went for my thumb nail. Didn't think much of it, I actually threw out the needle because I thought I don't want to contaminate the pts. bag with my germs?! Now I can't stop thinking about it. -up late

My opinion is this is not a needle stick injury. You stuck yourself with a needle that never came in contact with the patient. I don't think I would have reported it either.

canuckeh! · Jul 14, 2006

All needlesticks should be documented and reported.

Even if you poke yourself with a sterile needle that has never touched anything, you can be tracking organisms from your skin into the underlying tissues.

Each needlestick shuould be screened using the protocol in place at your worksite. Not every needlestick will require blood testing or prophylactic medications, but all should be documented in case you develop a cellulitis, so that you receive pay for a work acquired injury if you are required to be off work.