Needlestick

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So today I scratched and cut myself with a needle, it bled. But I noticed and changed the needle before giving the injection. Is this a needle stick injury? And am I at risk?

ps first year student

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Had the needle been used before you got scratched?

If not, then what would you be at risk for? The needle, if unused, was sterile, right?

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Specializes in EMT since 92, Paramedic since 97, RN and PHRN 2021.

Any time you are stuck by a needle it is a needlestick injury and needs to be reported. You are not really at risk for anything unless whatever was in the syringe was injected into you. To be safe you should push so the site bleeds and wash with soap and warm water.

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No the needle was new and from a package. I'm just freaking out a bit. But I'm safe because it was a clean needle and my patient is safe because I changed the needle correct? Just need to calm my nerves!

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Really? Come on.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry, Hospice, Home Health.

I am nervous that you have to ask this question.

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Specializes in ICU, Med-Surg, Float.
No the needle was new and from a package. I'm just freaking out a bit. But I'm safe because it was a clean needle and my patient is safe because I changed the needle correct? Just need to calm my nerves!

TECHNICALLY, your patient wasn't safe - it counts as a needle stick injury to him. Your blood could have tracked into the syringe, you should have discarded the whole lot and started again! First year student? You should have been supervised drawing it up anyway, did you ask your preceptor at the time??

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TECHNICALLY, your patient wasn't safe - it counts as a needle stick injury to him. Your blood could have tracked into the syringe, you should have discarded the whole lot and started again! First year student? You should have been supervised drawing it up anyway, did you ask your preceptor at the time??

Yea it tracked up the needle and into the syringe and then was injected into the patients body. Sorry no it didn't. Yea if you didn't get rid of the needle and the syringe you probably should have but really it still doesn't matter. The most you are at risk for is a boo boo.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I'm confused. What could you possibly be worried about with a sterile needle?

Think about what you're implying: if you are at risk from a sterile needle stick, then every.single.patient in the WORLD would be at risk if they've ever received a shot, a vaccine, or a local anesthetic.

Really? Are you a special someone who is at greater risk than the rest of the world?

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You can never be too safe. You don't want to catch the autism.

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.
No the needle was new and from a package. I'm just freaking out a bit. But I'm safe because it was a clean needle and my patient is safe because I changed the needle correct? Just need to calm my nerves!

Ok, so think about this for a minute.

The needle was brand new and unused, so there isn't anything to contract, since the needle had never been in contact with anything in order to become contaminated.

You changed the needle before injecting your patient, so your patient is also safe.

Breathe. Think. Be confident in your abilities and knowledge.

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You'll be fine. You got stuck and it does need reported (hospitals keep statistics on this: staff, students, etc). It's okay though - people get stuck with a lot worse than clean needles that have not made contact with other patients. Your stick is basically the best case scenario for a needlestick.

You'll be more careful in the future. Just a learning experience. :)

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