Needlestick

[Ontariosn]

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

[Nursemiriben, LPN, EMT-P]

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!

My nerves are shot too....that you're asking the questions. Yikes. Prewrapped preinfected needles?

I'm not sure what the panic is about

[twss2323]

I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt and think you're probably thinking a little irrationally because you're freaked out and you actually do understand the concept of a sterile needle.

I stuck myself with an insulin needle right after I drew it up when I was a nursing student. I knew I was fine because it was a clean needle; my instructor wanted me to be extra vigilant of feeling lightheaded or anything in case I inadvertently got some insulin. But really, I was fine. But I still freaked out inside A LOT-- because it showed me how EASY it is to stick yourself and it's not always gonna be a clean needle.

But as others have said, you're fine. Breathe.

[bsyrn, ASN, RN]

Yes, you will be fine. If it ever happens again, dispose of the whole setup and start again.

[Extra Pickles]

people really need to think this through. if you pricked yourself with a pushpin would you freak out and run to the doctor? because you are more at risk for picking up whatever was on the pushpin than the zero contaminants that are a sterile needle.

my hospital doesn't track people who stick themselves with sterile needles any more than they track people who get paper cuts. the paper cut is more likely to get infected from a contaminated piece of paper than a sterile needle is going to cause any supposed injury. I know for a fact that if I were to go to our employee health office worrying about being stuck with a sterile unused needle I'd be thrown out of there in a heartbeat, I know this because a student said she had been stuck with a needle and the CI and NM both said to get to employee health immediately and when they heard it was an unused sterile needle they sent her back to the floor with a note to not return lol.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

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

Oye...coffee on the keyboard and it is only 9:15...

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

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

I totally *snorted* (yes, out loud!) at this one!

[RNdynamic]

I don't get why this question is even asked , when you know it was a sterile needle? Why would you even ask if you are at risk? Does anyone else feel like this is attention-seeking?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

This needs to be reported to your instructor. You must have been pretty nervous to scratch yourself.

Practice, practice, practice.

Good luck, that first year is a bear.

[Kitiger, RN]

my hospital doesn't track people who stick themselves with sterile needles any more than they track people who get paper cuts. the paper cut is more likely to get infected from a contaminated piece of paper than a sterile needle is going to cause any supposed injury. I know for a fact that if I were to go to our employee health office worrying about being stuck with a sterile unused needle I'd be thrown out of there in a heartbeat, I know this because a student said she had been stuck with a needle and the CI and NM both said to get to employee health immediately and when they heard it was an unused sterile needle they sent her back to the floor with a note to not return lol.

I should think the hospital would want to track this, because another time the needle might not be sterile. Is there a specific reason that it happened? Perhaps the needle cap sticks, making it hard to get off?

You were not at risk for infection this time, so going to employee health wasn't necessary.

I would report it using an incident report.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

You scratched yourself with a STERILE needle, and then rush to get the opinions of random internet strangers? AND you then 'changed the needle' and injected a PATIENT?

The wrong person is worried about the risk here. You DO need to report that you injected the patient with a contaminated set up. You have the wrong person's best interest placed first.

[A.P.]

Obviously it was not a well thought out question, but it amazes me at the number of smart XXXXXXXX on this site. Everyone is always so outspoken and tough behind a keyboard.

[NanaPoo]

Hold it now.

Did RNdynamic just accuse someone of being attention seeking?