The last time I was at work I went in to my patient's room to hang an antibiotic, the patients wife just mentions the jp drain is full. The techs usually empty drains and foleys for us, but I will empty them when needed while I am in the room. I have only emptied a jp drain maybe a handful of times because they are only used for back surgery or neck surgery at my facility and I haven't had too many of those patients. I have mostly delt with hips and knees to which hemovacs are used, even then I haven't had to empty those very many times. When I went to empty the jp drain, the bulb wasn't compressed and was about half full, I first looked at the measurement so I could record the drainage. Then I attempted to open the drain, as soon as I got the stopper out the blood squirted right at my face and in my eye. I started to panic, but I tried to remain calm so I didn't freak my patient out. I just said" I'll be right back", I rushed to the patient's bathroom and started flushing my eye at the sink and then used alcohol pads to wipe my face.
I then I had to go through the whole blood exposure protocol, getting my blood drawn and having to follow up with the infection control nurse. I have only been a nurse for four months, but I feel so stupid and a little embarrassed. I'm thinking "why didn't I turn my face away while emptying the drain. The techs empty these drains a lot with the amount of patient they have and I haven't heard of any of them getting blood in their face. It's a small hospital and I feel so singled out, like I'm the only nurse that got blood squirted at my face when emptying a jp drain, being the new nurse and I haven't been there that long I don't want any unwanted attention.
Needless to say, I will never open a drain again without turning me face away. Has anyone else had this happen to them?
