Needle stick after a Subcutaneous Injection of Epotien to a Hepa C+ patient

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Hello everyone. Here is my story. I hope I can get an advise from you guys. I injected (Epoetien Alfa) EPOKINE with 25g needle via subcutaneous route to a 70 years old. dialysis patient who is positive for hepatitis C. The accident happened after I injected the medicine and wiped the needle with wet cotton ball and recap it. Before I dispose it, I didn't notice that needle went out of the cap then I got pricked. Though I don't see any visible blood on the patients arm and needle after I injected the Epotien. I immediately pinch my finger and wash it with soap, water and alcohol after wards. A day after the incident we had a laboratory result of the patient for Anti HCV and the result is like this. "Reactive (11.70) C.O.V 1.000", I hope I can get an explanation for that result. The patient is non reactive for Hbsag and reactive for Anti HBV. While I got the result of non reactive for anti HBV. Thanks in advance for your help.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

We really cannot interpret your test results - your healthcare provider must do that.

I must ask, however, why you wiped the used needle with a "wet cotton ball"?? And then tried to recap? Those two actions are extremely dangerous and were a needle stick waiting to happen. Are you following your facility's P&P for injections? Why clean/recap a needle before disposal?

Also, did you report your incident? I can't tell from your post.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Why are you recapping a needle?

Did you report the exposure to management/employee health? The BBP exposure protocol us in place for a reason.

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Why on earth did you wipe the needle and recap it? What country do you live in? Is this your normal protocol for sharps disposal?

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I am sorry if there are some misconceptions. It did not happen in a hospital setting that's why... and i must admit I really unintentionally forgot about the protocol of recapping the needle. :(

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Did you wipe the needle with the cotton ball because you were saving it to reuse? I am confused like the others why you didn't just dispose of the needle in a sharps bin.

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I work in home health and many of our patients and/or their caregivers give injections, I can see someone trying to recap a needle if someone failed to instruct them regarding proper disposal but I cannot see why anybody would try to clean a disposable needle.

Are you a licensed nurse? Did someone instruct you to clean needles after use?

I hope you come to no harm because of this.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Even in a dialysis center it makes even less sense to recap a needle

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