Needlestick-HELP

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2003

i dont really know. Just go with the protocol, do what they suggest and keep getting your blood draws. That is about all you can do i think.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Nov 23, 2003

I don't know what the books say but if it was me I would have considered it a sterile needle and not worried. But like I say- that's just my thought.

renerian, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2003

First let me say I am sorry you experienced that. I know how that waiting period feels as it happened to me. I had that experience and the patient was negative. The wait was hard. I was sexually assaulted too and it was negative but the wait and retesting at certain intervals was hard.

Hugs, renerian

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 23, 2003

I am very angry your institution has not gone "needleless" yet...your post does NOT say where you are, but in the US if a place is JCAHO-accredited (and wants to stay that way), it MUST be needless. No, not all hospitals/institutions are accredited, but those with good infection control procedures sure are. (NEEDLE-LESS I mean). THIS one policy would have saved you and countless others this worry.

If it were me, I would follow my HIV/Hep protocol at the hospital; taking meds and testing as guided and try not to worry. I believe your chances of having come into contact with the virus THIS way are indeed slim.

I am sooooo sorry this happened to you. What a scare so early-on in your career. You did NOTHING wrong; it was an honest mistake made by many before you. THAT is WHY NEEDLESS IV systems are needed IN EVERY INSTITUTION NO EXCEPTIONS!!!! lobby for it where YOU are, too! Your safety depends on such safety measures....good luck. Let us know how you are doing.

ilynn · Nov 24, 2003

im sorry it happened to you....

i got pricked in the OR once with a used needle -

damn....

nothing worst came out of it tho...

i hope no more of it...

id rather have my fingers cut

thank you very much

1sweetnurse · Nov 24, 2003

Thanks everyone for you replys

nrsfriend · Dec 5, 2003

A stick is always cause for concern and anxiety but the best salve is accurate information. I manage all BBP (bloodborne pathogen) exposures for our company and am surprised that you are taking "meds" for this stick. Using our "risk assessment" you would not be at risk because the needle was not a "contaminated" needle. Also, the stick was not a deep puncture and was not from a "body fluid filled device" (it was filled with medications). The only risk factor is that the patient is HIV +, but it sounds like no body fluid contact occurred. It might help to remember that HIV is not a very hardy virus and it takes a fair amount of exposure for infection to occur, unless you are immunocompromised. I would guess that your physician opted to recommend prophylaxis for risk management purposes as much as anything else, but the therapy is not without it's own issues!

The CDC website has good info, as does APIC. I hope this will help you cope with all the fear, but I would not be too worried this time. You were smart to report it and follow up labs will let you get closure on this over time. Hang in there! :nurse:

EMTI19 · Dec 5, 2003

"It nicked my index finger"

I am very sorry that this happened to you. I was just wondering since you didn't say. Were you wearing gloves?

Hope everything works out for you.

1sweetnurse · Dec 5, 2003

Thanks for your responses, i did have gloves on, but it still stuck me.

Thanks

Angela Mac · Jun 20, 2004

hello everyone, i am new to the forum, I discovered it after doing some research on needlesticks. I will tell you my story and i hope i can get some opinions. A couple of days ago i was stuck with a needle. I was giving a pain med through the 2nd port from the patient on the iv tubing and as i was pulling the needle out, it nicked my index finger. I know it wasn't actually in the person, but is there any way i could be infected from the iv fluids. The fluids were running at the time and i dont think any blood was backed up into the tubing. I reported it to my supervisor and the patient was tested for HIV, and she was positive. I was devastated and i havent been able to get it out of my mind. I am taking the medicine, but i am worried sick. Can someone please tell me what their opinion is. I just graduated a couple of months ago from school. so i havent had much experience in these kinds of situations.
Thanks

my heart goes out to you......if you would like to view more stories.....check out the thread "Needlesticks- share your painful stories". Hope all goes well.