Needlestick...but not break skin?

[oak999]

The answer to my question may seem obvious but when you start thinking of things, your mind does funny things to you. Would a needlstick in the finger of a healthy nurse always be noticed? I think I felt the tip of a used needle on my index finger (but no pain and no puncture or blood) while putting a needle into a sharp box. Again if it punctured the skin I would have felt it right? I guess I am just being paranoid.

[hodgieRN]

I will start off with a disclaimer...

If you ever suspect a stick with a contaminated needle, you immediately tell your charge nurse, manager, and then head over to employee health. This is important for obvious reasons, but they will be able to tell you exactly what you are asking. And, they can immediately test you, which can give you peace of mind.

Now, there are standard questions that they ask to assess the level of risk. The fact that you did not draw blood and that you couldn't see or feel an insertion site is a good thing. Another thing they ask is if you were wearing gloves. Gloves should always be on when you are dealing with needles.

The fingers are highly sensitive and yes, I would say that you would felt something other than a touch. If you feel that something more happened, you should follow up on it. If something like that ever happens again, immediately report it. If something were to come of it, it would be covered by the facility and you would have a good timeline.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Better yet, ask yourself this:

If you are worried enough to post this question, aren't you concerned enough to get it checked out?

It costs you nothing, and it will put your mind at ease to go ahead and get checked out by Occ Health.

And no, I don't think you are being paranoid at all.

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

I agree with both of the above posters.