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Discussion

Possible needle stick

Yesterday I was giving 3 vaccines to a 5 year old who was screaming and really upset about the shots. The mom was holding her arms and hugging her as I proceeded to give her the vaccines in her thighs while laying on the table. I always bring in a little tray that I place the used needles in so they are out of the way. Well yesterday, after I gave the first 2 vaccines, I reached for the third and one of the used needles was right there next to the vaccine that I needed. I remember thinking to myself, " be careful! Don't let it touch you." So I tried my best to not let the needle touch me. I gave the shot and all was well. As I was cleaning up I got to the thinking, " did the needle touch me? I didn't feel anything." I checked my glove before taking it off and didn't see any puncture marks and didn't see any on my fingers as well. I really don't think it poked me, but I'm freaking out just a little. I'm thinking maybe it grazed my finger but I don't really know. Is there anyway that you can get a needle stick with out feeling it? What would you do in this instance? Should I talk to my office manager about it? Also concerned since I still breastfed my son and don't want to pass on anything to him. Thanks for the input!

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    If there's no mark in your glove I don't see how you could have gotten a stick. And if it just grazed you. It's really really unlikely that there was enough blood or penetration to transmit a blood born pathogen. I think you're just freaking out. It's okay =]

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    • Experts

    Take a deep breath. The actual incident of healthcare workers that actually catch anything from a needle stick is very small. Go to the CDC webstie....CDC - Bloodborne Infectious Diseases - HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic

    We cannot give medical advice as per the Terms of Service. ((HUGS)) I would talk to your office manager and your PCP. HIV is a BLOODBOURNE pathogen and it doesn't sound like you have any blood exposure.

    Relax...call your manager. If there was no break in the skin there is no injury. ((HUGS))

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    As someone who has received a needle stick. I assure you. You would know if you had been stuck.

    I use my phone, to type, I work at night, and I'm a bad speller. Pick any reason you want for my misspellings

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    • Experts
    As someone who has received a needle stick. I assure you. You would know if you had been stuck.

    I use my phone, to type, I work at night, and I'm a bad speller. Pick any reason you want for my misspellings

    You kill me with your tag line...((HUGS))
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    Even if you did get a stick, the likelihood of getting anything from a 5yr old is pretty slim.

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    Even if you did get a stick the likelihood of getting anything from a 5yr old is pretty slim.[/quote']

    This

    Ive sliced my hand with a bloody surgical blade before, and it wasnt fun.

    I would never want to get stuck again, but if I did, I would certainly want it to be under circumstances like yours.

    The most common ways aids/hep are transmitted is unprotected sex and iv drug use. And I cant imagine there are very very few 5 year olds participating in either.

    Though ill also add that I believe the chances of serum converting hiv through a needle stick is 0.3% IF the patient has HIV. And Hep B is something like 2.7% (which I presume you're vaccinated against)

    So I think its safe to say youre in the clear.

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    Agree with the previous posters. It doesn't sound like you had a needle stick.....

    Buttttt, big buttttt. I'm confused as to your arrangements with your needles. Did you have "clean" and "dirty" needles hanging out in the same basin together? That way when you were reaching for the third you were in the vicinity of the previous used one? Maybe you could consider having two basins with you going forward, one for used and one for unused. :yes:

    Then I guess my next question is what about safety needles? I've given plenty of peds shots and they are not easy. Sometimes these kids are squirming all over. Safety needles would definitely protect both of you from an oops. I'm assuming you might work for a private peds office, maybe you can implement that if they don't currently practice it. Or keeping a portable sharps right there next to you that way you dispose immediately.

    Just some thoughts, good luck!

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    • Author

    Thank you for the input and advice! I will be using safety needles from here on out!

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    what could you possibly get from a 5 year old? if you didn't puncture your glove or feel anything, you likely did not get stuck. I've had a needle stick and you would definitely know it if it happened.

    as for HIV, it's an extremely unstable virus that's very VERY difficult to contract outside of sex or needle sharing. I wouldn't be worried about HIV in a 5 year old.

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    what could you possibly get from a 5 year old? if you didn't puncture your glove or feel anything, you likely did not get stuck. I've had a needle stick and you would definitely know it if it happened.

    as for HIV, it's an extremely unstable virus that's very VERY difficult to contract outside of sex or needle sharing. I wouldn't be worried about HIV in a 5 year old.

    ... if there is no documented history of HIV or hepatitis in this child and he has no other risk factors. This is why we call them "standard" or "universal" precautions. Once you start making assumptions about, "I wouldn't worry about that patient," any patient, your defenses are down.

    That said, it sounds as if the OP didn't actually have a blood exposure, so no worries.

    And OP: If you have safety needles in the office, you probably have a policy that says you are supposed to use them. There's a reason for that.

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