My first needle stick today... :(

[TigerGalLE, BSN, RN]

So it happened today... Oh soo fast... I feel like such an idiot!

My patient's PICC line wasn't working so I was drawing her labs from her hand. I drew about 2cc and the blood quit coming. Thinking I needed to advance the needle some more I palpated the vein above the needle. As I went to advance some the patient jerked!!! The tip of the needle came up through her skin and poked my index finger.

I almost didn't report it but I knew I would regret it. So far her HIV is negative.. Still waiting on her Hep C. She is a low risk patient and I pray it will be negative. I have to go to "counseling" tomorrow.

Support needed.

Thanks

Tiger

[anticoagulationurse]

Yeowch (for both of you). I have always wondered if that is a way I could poke myself! Now I know to avoid that particular maneuver. Hope all turns out well for you.

[chloecatrn]

Sorry this happened. Hope everything works out for you. However, just a word of advice/caution: no matter how low risk you think the patient is, ALWAYS report a needle stick. Just because a patient has a squeaky clean image now, doesn't mean that s/he did five years ago. Protect yourself first.

[TigerGalLE, BSN, RN]

Yea I'm glad I reported it.

[GODfavorsme!]

I pray that everything works out ok for you....I am so sorry this happened to you...We all make mistakes and we learn from them.....head up..:)

[Lizzie21]

Oh goodness! I'm sorry that happened. I would have been scared to report it as well, but I'm really glad that you did. You are the priority in everything that you do as a nurse! I hope everything comes back negative.

[rosey2007]

I was in a similar situation a couple of years ago and I was so scared. Thank goodness my blood tests came back negative. I am glad they are taking you seriously, because in my case they thought I was overreacting. My doctor did not see a reason why I needed to be tested for HIV, but I told him I need to and the Health Department wanted me to be also.

[tokidoki7, ASN, RN]

I hope things turn out well for you. I've noticed co-workers palpate a vein when a needle is inserted and it scares me.

[hersheys]

i feel for you.. i was in your shoes a long time ago (7 years ago). i was on duty & very stressed out when i had my needlestick injury. worst part i couldn't trace the patient's name because it was a random needle (i was disposing needles that time and because i was so stressed and tired i mismanaged to dispose them properly). i got so scared and paranoid and it was like killing me softly mentally and emotionally. what i did, i just prayed so hard, told my husband and parents about it and hid it from others (less stress on my part) and after 6 mos., i got myself tested for HIV and HEP. C and luckily, the result was NEGATIVE. i went to the church and thank God for giving me a second life. i continued to have myself tested for 5 years then i stopped because i was satisfied with the result. the lesson, regardless im tired, i should not be in a hurry and always focused. on your part, i will pray for you that the result will be negative.

[Miss.Snappy]

My first needle stick was when I was pregnant with my daughter so it was doubly scary. I had just finished giving an older gentleman an IM injection and was withdrawing the needle and he had a seizure and the needle went into my thumb. I was lucky - all my test came back fine.

[Flying ICU RN]

How not to get stuck.....

Treat a sharp as you would a loaded firearm. Focus your mind (and your eyes) exclusively on it until it is secured.

If someone else shoots you,...well that's another story.

[NurseKatie08, MSN]

OP, so sorry you're going through this--needlesticks are scary, but you did the absolute right thing to report it. I stuck myself with a used insulin syringe in January and absolutely freaked--also almost didn't report it. The patient was very low risk, but it is scary no matter what. Just finished 6 months of f/u testing and thank God everything is negative. I'll keep you in my prayers--hang in there!