Needle stick from urine collection cup.. Patient HepC positive...

Nurses General Nursing

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So I am totally freaking out this is my second week in preceptorship and I was stuck by the needle that is inside of the urine collection cup the patient is hep C positive they sent off blood work on her and she is HIV negative thankfully... But I do not want to get the hep C either when her urinary analysis came back she has Trace Amounts of blood in her urine I was wearing gloves and I squeezed and squeezed my finger until it literally turned white and started to hurt I am so scared!!!!!!!!!!

The issue here is not how it was done, but the concern that the Nurse has for exposure to Hep C. I wouldn't be too concerned, the amount of blood exposure was very slight. Good that you bled your finger out to flush out any that might have gotten in. I once stuck myself with a Hep C dirty butterfly needle - and it IS freaky. Learn from it and go on with your new nursing career.

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Dear OP, My thoughts are with you!

What you experienced is definitely upsetting and a hit towards your self esteem. I stuck myself with a dirty needle while giving Lovenox to a woman two years ago. (I had been a nurse for 6 years at that time.) I raised her bed up, cleaned the area, had a good pinch and gave the injection successfully. After I pulled the needle out and before I pushed the plunger in to secure the safety device I proceeded to poked my right finger with the dirty needle I was holding in my left hand. I replay it in my head often and think of the potential reasons... it was 10pm and I was behind on my med pass? Patient was extra talkative? I was too relaxed? CNA hollered at me that a patient had not voided all day? Too much coffee that made me jittery? Maybe I was thinking of too many upcoming tasks in my head at once? Anyways, I wish you the best and even though you have not met us in person, you have all of our support. Make sure to follow your hospital's guidelines on blood testing intervals after exposure and make sure to write it in your planner in case the occupational health office does not remind you of your appointments.

I hope you are able to take one day at a time and stay positive. Thank you for sharing your story, you have reminded many of us (including myself) to remain mindful during the workday and during tasks.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I must say, in 14 years of being a nurse, I have never seen one of these cups!

I HAVE seen the urine collection kit that contains a plain specimen cup, a

vacutainer, and a white plastic dipstick with an end that is larger around

and has a needle inside it. You put the stick down into the urine, and

put the needled end into the vacutainer, and it sucks up the urine.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Okay everyone BACK TO THE OP's CONCERN:

A needlestick from a urine container.

Yes they do exist, thats not the topic.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

I feel like hep c isn't transmissible in urine, but I could be wrong. Breathe and follow through with whatever prophylaxis they want you to begin. It's going to be ok.

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To the OP ((((HUGS)))) take a deep breath. I am sorry this happened to you and I will keep you in my prayers that everything turns out okay.

If this should happen to anyone who reads this post, I think the proper response to a needle stick is to flush the area under running water for some time (I am thinking 10 minutes?) then see Employee Health for the testing. Your employer should have a policy regarding this issue.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Our hospital had these for all of about 2 months and then they disappeared. Apparently people sticking themselves with them happens more than it should.

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Don't let anyone else get you down! I did the same exact thing in orientation! I had no idea what I was doing and had no idea it had a needle in it. I was stuck with the needle. Luckily, the patient checked out ok, and so did I. Good luck to you! And don't beat yourself up over it.

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Hi sorry to hear about your trama as a nurse we only allowed to use in Biosciences. And in our urology clinic but only staff are trained. May I also ask which Vacutainer Urine Collection you used as above or a stick one.

BD Vacutainer Urine Collection Devices and Kits Biosciences # 364975 ( BD364975 ) - Careforde Scientific Supply

Also may I ask how you managed to prink you'reself also as im 99% aware you wont get Sexually Transmitted Infection.

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Hep C is only transmitted through blood. It is not even necessary for mongamanous heterosexual couples, if one partner has Hep C, to use precautions.

Sure there can be blood in the urine for various reasons, but not routinely. If the urine wasn't frankly bloody it would be near impossible to catch Hep C.

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Sorry to hear that. To everybody being mean stop it. This girl is just looking for help oh my gosh

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

OP, i just wanted to post in solidarity. I totally poked my finger on a urine cup just like that, way back in the day when i was a newbie clinic assistant. But in my case, it wasnt because of an unsafe sharps container. It was because i literally just decided to poke my finger through the little sticker that covers the top. It totally didnt register to me that there was a needle in there. Sigh. At least it was unused.

Thats how you do it, folks. That is how you get a needle stick from something as ridiculous as a urine cup. You just poke your finger through the sticker.

I dont know how i survived to adulthood.

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