Possible exposure to Hep C from needle stick

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Specializes in Med/surg., nephrology.

I've been a nurse for almost a year and a half, and this is the first time anything serious has happened to me. Last Tuesday I was giving an insulin shot to a patient with known Hep C. The shot part went fine, but when I went to push the safety up, it got stuck and my thumb slipped over the bar that sticks out and I felt a tiny poke. (We use the kind that has a "barrel" that pushes up over the needle, I hate them because some are difficult to push and they get stuck.) I'm not sure if it even went through the glove, I couldn't see a hole and there was no damage to the skin on my thumb and no blood when I pushed on it. At the time I blew it off thinking that it didn't pierce through.

However, I worked last night and did a couple of experiments with some of the insulin needles and now I feel the poke may have actually gone superficially into my skin, but I might not have bled from it. I couldn't see any holes in the glove, either. At the time I was going to "test" the glove for holes, but stupid me threw it away. I notified the house supervisor on duty and she told me that she was going to put in some labs for him to be tested for HIV. Hopefully they also check his viral load. I have to go to employee health this morning.

I can't stop thinking about it now. I'm pregnant with my 4th baby, and she's due in 3 months, around the time when I would be tested for the 3 month Hep C test. I don't want to pass this on to her or my family! I'm scared to tell my OB, too.

Do you think I'm just being paranoid? Do you think I actually stuck myself? Any input/advice is welcome.

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Specializes in ICU.

You must, must, must report this to your occupational health department and to your OB. You did not do anything wroing, this is a bad needle design.

Get the healthcare you deserve now; especially for your baby!

Please keep us posted on your progress! :-)

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I can imagine how worried you must feel. I went through kind of the same thing when I was not told that a patient was Hep B positive... I went through everything I did that day in bed that following night.

Ease your mind. Go to your doctor and get tested. I am sure everything will be okay :)

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

There is a >5.% chance of passing Hep C through birth. They will save the cord at birth to test.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Follow the above instructions, and DON'T PANIC! I've sent you an email with some detailed information which should help.

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Specializes in ER, House Supervision.

I was stuck by a needle after giving an injection to an AIDS patient in 1995. Talk about scared!! I have not ever tested positive for HIV in all the years since this happened, however I did spend 6 months crying every day. I get the freak out that you are experiencing, but the good news is that it was not an intravenous stick so that decreases the risk and if it stuck through a glove the glove can act like a squeegee to remove some or most of the blood on the needle. DO all of the above advise but most of all don't beat up on yourself. It can happen to any of us.

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Specializes in Med/surg., nephrology.

Thank you all for your input. :) I went today and filed the incident report, and went to employee health. The patient's HIV came back negative, thank God. The nurse in employee health didn't even want to file a report after I told her what happened, saying that since I didn't bleed I didn't have a needle stick. However, I was insistent to move forward with follow up, saying that it may have been possible that between the time I may have gotten stuck and taking my gloves off it may have clotted off. She did reassure me that even if it were a superficial stick, the chances of getting Hep C are very low, less than 1%. So, I do feel better. I got my blood drawn for Hep C and HIV, and go back in 3 months, then 6. I will be telling my OB about it, maybe she will test me in 2 months just to ease my mind(I've read it can come back + as early as 6 weeks). Anyway, now I just wait(and sleep since I have to work tonight). Thanks!

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
I can imagine how worried you must feel. I went through kind of the same thing when I was not told that a patient was Hep B positive... I went through everything I did that day in bed that following night.

Ease your mind. Go to your doctor and get tested. I am sure everything will be okay :)

I am a firm believer that it is not necessary to disclose if a patient is Hepatitis positive or not.

I assume that every patiet could possibly be Hepatitis or HIV positive whenever I work with them...because they very well could be unknowingly infected.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
I am a firm believer that it is not necessary to disclose if a patient is Hepatitis positive or not.

I assume that every patiet could possibly be Hepatitis or HIV positive whenever I work with them...because they very well could be unknowingly infected.

A big part of me agrees with you; however, I wonder how many needle sticks go unreported because a nurse does not know of a patient's status? I may be going out on a limb there but it's a possible issue. Then that nurse, who's now not been tested herself, could pass it on to others...and so on and so on...

I don't believe everyone needs to know of a patient's status...but if you're going to be handling the infectious material (even with proper protection) and the status is known, then I believe you have a right to it as a healthcare provider. Not because you'll be "more careful," but because you may be more likely to seek testing, treatment, counseling, etc. in the event of an exposure (not how I would feel but in the real world I think a lot of people feel this way). And I know and firmly believe in patients' rights...but I believe in healthcare providers' rights as well.

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I am so glad you went to Occ Health. sadly, some nurses dont. I pray everything turns out well for you and your family.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I am a firm believer that it is not necessary to disclose if a patient is Hepatitis positive or not

While I agree with you to a point, I'll bet that your opinion on the matter would change should you be the one at the wrong end of the needlestick. I hope it never happens so my theory is never tested.

OP: Glad you went to occupational health and are following up on it. The odds are very much in your favor that you'll escape unscathed, though I know that the waiting period will be hard on you. Best of luck!

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Specializes in ER.

better to be safe and go through the screening - let your OB know. Why would you not be prepared with all information - hope you have the patient's name as well.

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