Needle stick Injury but Unused Needle

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello,

I would just like you're opinion on a situation. I was working on the floor and drew up Novolog 1 unit into an insulin syringe to administer to my patient before lunch. I gowned up and went into the patient's room, because he is in contact isolation. Patient refused the abdomen and requested to place the injection on his arm. As I was cleaning his arm with one and and holding the insulin needle in another, somehow I fumbled my hands and the needle fell right onto my left 4th finger. The needle has not been used on the patient, but I was bleeding and ended up developing a tiny under-the-skin bruise of my finger. What sucks too was the previous day I just had requested my PCP to test my blood for Hep C just because of paranoia. Well because the needle was unused, the supervisor didn't recommend treatment. I did perform first aid on myself. Is there a chance of developing an infection? I think it's my paranoia that is getting to me. I just want reassurance. Thanks!

Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

As you now can see you are worrying for nothing. Next time you start to panic just try to remain calm and think it through. It probably wont be the only time something like this happens. Hopefully it was a good learning experience so you will not rush through those potentially harmful tasks (like a dirty needle).

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Hello,

I would just like you're opinion on a situation. I was working on the floor and drew up Novolog 1 unit into an insulin syringe to administer to my patient before lunch. I gowned up and went into the patient's room, because he is in contact isolation. Patient refused the abdomen and requested to place the injection on his arm. As I was cleaning his arm with one and and holding the insulin needle in another, somehow I fumbled my hands and the needle fell right onto my left 4th finger. The needle has not been used on the patient, but I was bleeding and ended up developing a tiny under-the-skin bruise of my finger. What sucks too was the previous day I just had requested my PCP to test my blood for Hep C just because of paranoia. Well because the needle was unused, the supervisor didn't recommend treatment. I did perform first aid on myself. Is there a chance of developing an infection? I think it's my paranoia that is getting to me. I just want reassurance. Thanks!

Did you go to nursing school? Just curious.

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Specializes in Med-Surg., LTC,, OB/GYN, L& D,, Office.

Just for clarification, gown & gloves?

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Hello,

I would just like you're opinion on a situation. I was working on the floor and drew up Novolog 1 unit into an insulin syringe to administer to my patient before lunch. I gowned up and went into the patient's room, because he is in contact isolation. Patient refused the abdomen and requested to place the injection on his arm. As I was cleaning his arm with one and and holding the insulin needle in another, somehow I fumbled my hands and the needle fell right onto my left 4th finger. The needle has not been used on the patient, but I was bleeding and ended up developing a tiny under-the-skin bruise of my finger. What sucks too was the previous day I just had requested my PCP to test my blood for Hep C just because of paranoia. Well because the needle was unused, the supervisor didn't recommend treatment. I did perform first aid on myself. Is there a chance of developing an infection? I think it's my paranoia that is getting to me. I just want reassurance. Thanks!

Of course there is a chance of developing an infection. As with any minor scrape.

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Specializes in NICU.

yeah make sure you use a sterile bandaid and change it every 24 hoursx 7 days,recheck in 3 days call if fever.

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yeah make sure you use a sterile bandaid and change it every 24 hoursx 7 days,recheck in 3 days call if fever.

I snorted out loud...thumbs up!

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Specializes in Practice educator.

I don't know what answer you were expecting.

But it's no.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

It's OK to be a little paranoid at times, but you also need to be realistic. Even if you had the cap off of the needle while in an isolation room, you're not going to get infected from an unused needle in itself. Though as hherrn implied, treatment should be as for any other scratch or scrape that you get.

Consider this a lesson learned for you to be a bit more cautious when handling needles. You were lucky in that this needle stick was with an unused needle; next time you may not have that luck.

FWIW, all of my needle sticks have been with unused needles and I haven't contracted anything from them...except a little drowsiness from an unintended dose of Haldol :lol:

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Specializes in Case Manager/Administrator.

You need to report any needle stick no matter what. although in this case it is up to you to seek medical care at least it is reported. What if you developed cellulitis from this stick how would workers comp (L&I for you northwest people) work for you? It would not. I had an employee get a papercut...she did not report it, and it was pretty wide across the palm side of her hand. She developed cellulitis and I had to investigate from the day she got it and interview all sorts of people just so she could get workers comp. If I recall she had to get a wound vac placement.

It is always prudent to report because you never know what will happen.

Nothing more than likely will come from this needle stick however you never know...

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LMAO @ the comments

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You need to report any needle stick no matter what. although in this case it is up to you to seek medical care at least it is reported. What if you developed cellulitis from this stick how would workers comp (L&I for you northwest people) work for you? It would not. I had an employee get a papercut...she did not report it, and it was pretty wide across the palm side of her hand. She developed cellulitis and I had to investigate from the day she got it and interview all sorts of people just so she could get workers comp. If I recall she had to get a wound vac placement.

It is always prudent to report because you never know what will happen.

Nothing more than likely will come from this needle stick however you never know...

I cannot imagine reporting a paper cut. Obviously didn't go well for this person, but come on.

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Wow, some of the replies on this thread seem unnecessarily harsh. New nurses are often paranoid about everything, at least I know I was. I've had accidental needlesticks myself and everything turned out fine. Haven't had one in a long time, fingers crossed. Just keep an eye on the stick and as always, be sure to perform proper hand hygiene. I don't believe you have much to worry about at this point.

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