Okay, I need reassurance

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Just to give a recap if you didn't see my post earlier, I was giving a sq injection of insulin and I felt the needle touch my glove while injecting the insulin. I wasn't sure if I pricked myself so I took off my glove, milked my finger and there wasn't any blood to be seen. This patient was hep c +, so I went down to infection control, then to my student center. It was unanimous that they didn't feel I had any real risk in the situation even if the needle braised my finger. I try not to second guess them, but I can't help it because I'm a nursing student and just haven't been around enough to know. I am having labs drawn in a couple weeks and thereafter for peace of mind.

So down to my question. The explaination given to me was "because I was not accessing a vein or artery and I didn't have any blood on my finger, my chances of transmission are negligable." There has to be blood from the patient, mixed with my blood for transmission to occcur which would be unlikely in this situation. Is this true? Any input would be appreciated. I would love to sleep a little better at night:)

Allison

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

from what i understand the transmission risk for hep c thru a accidental needle risk is well below 1% ...almost zero but not quite zero...there's always that chance. And for sq i would think it would be even less since the fatty tissue is not as vascular. did you stick yourself going in or coming out? I have stuck myself once when i was going in with the needle, didn't bleed, but before I pulled out I made sure to take my hand away so not to contaminate any opening with any blood/secretions from the pt.

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Specializes in Transplant, homecare, hospice.

Most likely you don't have the Hep C from this patient, but it never hurts to follow up with the blood tests. I was exposed to a patient with MRSA and Hep C, but it was a splashing of body fluids. I was scared and may have overreacted, because this patient was so sick. But I was concerned like you. The difference is that I'm employed by the hospital where the exposure occured and they have to follow it up. I was tested the day of the exposure. I believe 3 months after, then 6 months and then 7 months and I think that's it. So far so good tho, nothing positive. Good luck.

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I totally understand what you are going through...and I know you are probably analyzing things...I have done that this week as well.

I am a nursing student as well, and the nurse I was working with on Wednesday had me enter a PT room who had MRSA...and I had no gown/gloves...nothing. Didn't even know the PT had MRSA til afterwards (she came and grabbed me from another room and asked me if I wanted to watch a procedure). I watched her remove a dressing and cardiac pace wires...and I handled the pillow on the PTs bed. I felt the same way...I doubt I will contract anything, but I don't understand why we didn't adhere to standard precautions for MRSA...my nurse didn't either. She only wore gloves.

My chances were probably small, but still enough to bother me...that I might have brought something home...or worse.

~J

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
I totally understand what you are going through...and I know you are probably analyzing things...I have done that this week as well.

I am a nursing student as well, and the nurse I was working with on Wednesday had me enter a PT room who had MRSA...and I had no gown/gloves...nothing. Didn't even know the PT had MRSA til afterwards (she came and grabbed me from another room and asked me if I wanted to watch a procedure). I watched her remove a dressing and cardiac pace wires...and I handled the pillow on the PTs bed. I felt the same way...I doubt I will contract anything, but I don't understand why we didn't adhere to standard precautions for MRSA...my nurse didn't either. She only wore gloves.

My chances were probably small, but still enough to bother me...that I might have brought something home...or worse.

~J

that is standard precutions. mrsa is isolation precautions. this has happened to me on sev. occassions. tx a pt and find out a week later that they did a culture and it came back mrsa positive. definitely disturbing.

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I felt the needle after I went in. I pinched up the skin on an emancipated patient and apparently the needle was longer than the fatty skin I pinched and the needle went all the way through. I really thought I was being careful when I pinched, I actually remeber thinking that should be enough fat for the needle. Aack.

Thanks for all the input so far, I really appreciate it:)

Allison

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I felt the needle after I went in. I pinched up the skin on an emancipated patient and apparently the needle was longer than the fatty skin I pinched and the needle went all the way through. I really thought I was being careful when I pinched, I actually remeber thinking that should be enough fat for the needle. Aack.

Thanks for all the input so far, I really appreciate it:)

Allison

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in 1995 i got hiv+ blood splashed into my eye.

i'm still hiv-

you're fine.

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