Needle Stick- Diabetic Ulcer+Strep

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Hi guys,

So I just gave a patient insulin and stuck myself in the process. The patient had a toe amputated due to DM, with deep wound cultures indicating strep as the offending bacteria. Patient has been on IV antibiotics for 3 days now. I'm a bit of a hypochondriac, so in my head I'm already half dead. What do you guys do after a needle stick? Any and all information would be great.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

Contact your supervisor and follow your agency's needle stick policy. I would much more concerned about contracting viral hepatitis than strep.

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Specializes in Palliative, Onc, Med-Surg, Home Hospice.

You need to speak to employee health or your MD. And you need to think about the type of wound and location.

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nursej22 said:
Contact your supervisor and follow your agency's needle stick policy. I would much more concerned about contracting viral hepatitis than strep.

He's negative for hepatitis, thankfully.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

You really need to read and follow your facility's policy. Not following the policy can lead to the employer denying any claims as there won't be documentation showing that it was a work related injury.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.
Rose_Queen said:
You really need to read and follow your facility's policy. Not following the policy can lead to the employer denying any claims as there won't be documentation showing that it was a work related injury.

Rose queen is right again! Great advice I would heed immediately.

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Rose_Queen said:
You really need to read and follow your facility's policy. Not following the policy can lead to the employer denying any claims as there won't be documentation showing that it was a work related injury.

Yup! Thanks

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Report the exposure per your facility protocol. The follow up will give you some peace of mind.

For what it's worth.. a sub -q needle is limited exposure.

I was a pregnant newbie and stuck myself with an IM needle ...from a heroin addict that was in for a limb amputation due to gangrene and a million other bugs. Baby and I were a-okay.

Half dead.. you are not.. funny you are. Feel free to PM me.

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Been there,done that said:
Report the exposure per your facility protocol. The follow up will give you some peace of mind.

For what it's worth.. a sub -q needle is limited exposure.

I was a pregnant newbie and stuck myself with an IM needle ...from a heroin addict that was in for a limb amputation due to gangrene and a million other bugs. Baby and I were a-okay.

Half dead.. you are not.. funny you are. Feel free to PM me.

OMG! You must've been mortified! Is sub-q really lower risk?

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DreamerMW said:
OMG! You must've been mortified! Is sub-q really lower risk?

Freaked out was more the word. I was 2 months pregnant, found out I was pregnant right after the exposure.

A subcutaneous injection is a shot given into the fat layer between the skin and muscle.

Only your provider and occupational health experts can advise you on your risk factors.

Please keep us posted on your outcome.

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