Needlestick Accident

As Dianah said it's an occupational hazzard.

I can't blame the patient for complaining about the wait. And you for not looking forward to seeing her again.

It may make you feel better if you keep a gift card handy and next time you see her apologize and present her with a gift card to make up for the trouble she had to go through. You will know you have made amends.

If it was your organization's policy that the patient be asked to submit blood after an occupational exposure, then it's not about you (or her, even). Hang in there and follow the OSHA occupational exposure protocol.

4 hours ago, traumaRUs said:

In my practice this would be against the rules. This crosses the barrier of professionalism IMHO. No need to go further into this - things happen and no need to belabor this incident.

Yeah probably, but I'm one to go against the policy when it's in the way of what may be right at that time.

I once had a needlestick with a contaminated (patient's blood) needle. That patient had a whole array of liver problems. I felt like I went through hell waiting for results, but will not make the same mistake again.

Don't feel bad about the patient, they are probably already over it.

I had a needlestick injury once. When you see the patient, thank her for getting her blood drawn for you. Don't avoid her. After that, just smile and nod when you see her.

24 minutes ago, dianah said:

On second consideration, I hope my previous post didn't convey a sense of helplessness and fatalism. These accidents are why safeguards are in place, why needles are closed IMMEDIATELY after use, or if they don't have safety-close flip-tops, why an emesis basin or safety container is CLOSE, NEARBY, to reduce the amount of time staff are exposed to a contaminated/used needle.

Perhaps this is a time for your unit to review its safeguards and are they effective? Has the layout changed, necessitating a re-thinking of how to do things?? What is the latest literature on needle safety/disposal/and avoiding staff needle sticks? A learning opportunity!!

The fact that the OP is a new employee would account for some of the accident. Perhaps the safeguards are adequate but the OP wasn't familiar with them. She is certainly less than familiar with the layout.

In the olden days, before HIV, needle stick injuries were just a part of the job. Nobody LIKED them, but they weren't the potential health hazard that they are now. We've come a long way in reducing needle stick injuries since then, but as long as we need to use needles, I don't think we'll be able to eliminate them.