Shocking story of the day

Nurses General Nursing

Published

We seem to have a little bit of a theme going on at allnurses with stories of horrible infection control breaches. I figured I would add my story into the mix.

Last night I was hanging out with one of my friends who is a nurse at a different hospital than I. I told her about how frustrated I was that I had stabbed myself with a clean needle drawing up a med on my last shift. She asked me if I gave the med in that syringe anyway. I looked at her like she had six heads and told her that of course I threw that out and started over. She told me that a nurse she works with did the same thing- BUT GAVE THE MED ANYWAY! She told me her reasoning was that she knew she was clean. My jaw nearly hit the floor.

:no: - How can you do that!!!
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

Maybe she meant that she changed the needle but kept the same syringe with the medication in it? I sure hope so. That would at least be a little but better than using the same needle to stick a patient. But the whole thing really needs to be changed. Yikes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MS, ONCO, Geriatrics, HH, HS.

oh oh my!! I think I mistook this statement! haha!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MS, ONCO, Geriatrics, HH, HS.

I always put a drop of my blood on the needle before I give an injection. I figure after 30 years in nursing my blood should be able to kill any bug out there. Besides, you always check a babys' bottle temp by dropping a few dropps on your wrist- I think it only makes sense to test the patients IM meds by injection a little into your thumb.

i meant this quote from previuos member

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SNF, Oncology.

WOW! That is really scary! Did your friend report that nurse?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MS, ONCO, Geriatrics, HH, HS.

Well apparently I'm as technically challenged as my dad!! Couldn't figure out how to use quote step on this page but I'll try again.. please forgive my ignorance!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SNF, Oncology.

We have the plastic spike that we draw out medications, but that doesn't work for all of them. Such as our SQ Heparin or insulin. I stuck myself with a clean needle while drawing up a heparin but I discarded it and began again. There is no way I would stick someone with that needle whether I'm clean or not. That's just irresposbile.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MS, ONCO, Geriatrics, HH, HS.
I always put a drop of my blood on the needle before I give an injection. I figure after 30 years in nursing my blood should be able to kill any bug out there. Besides, you always check a babys' bottle temp by dropping a few dropps on your wrist- I think it only makes sense to test the patients IM meds by injection a little into your thumb.

Ok hope I'm not taking this wrong but.... WHAT!!???!! Hoping your meaning this sarcastically..LOL

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care, Med-Surg.

Totally not a nursing post, but this grossed me out...

I was in Wal-mart one day and a baby dropped it's pacifier from mouth to floor.

I watched in horror as mom picked it up, stuck in her mouth, sucked on it, then stuck it right back in baby's mouth.

Cringe. Cringe. Cringe.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER / Critical Care.

OMGeeee that's flippin sick! I would report her @ss! Speaking of shocking... While in my phlebotomy classes::: we practiced drawing eachothers blood... A student accidentally poked his finger (through gloved hands) and didn't say anything- nobody saw it and proceeded to draw blood from the other classmate!! I was like " way to go- successful draw :)" and then he took off his gloves.....***.... "dude, why is your hand ALL bloody???!!!??" he was like "oh I must have poked myself...??" ya. Right. Everyone was disgusted (especially the student he drew from with a dirty needle) to say the least and he was kicked out of the class. I couldn't believe someone could be SO STUPID. And he was only a student.... For a professional to do something like that is downright appalling!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work for a VERY well known clinic and with VERY respected and sought after providers in my state. We do surgeries and the other day we were closing on the lower lip...I sterilized the pt's surrounding mouth, nouse and chin and the MD only placed a towel on the chin, covering the chin and neck. hmmm? to top it off, she rested her sterile gloved hand on his cheek/nose while closing and the suture was falling all over...in his mouth, lateral neck etc. and she states 'obviously this isn't a sterile environment' and laughed about it. eeeeeck!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.
I always put a drop of my blood on the needle before I give an injection. I figure after 30 years in nursing my blood should be able to kill any bug out there. Besides, you always check a babys' bottle temp by dropping a few dropps on your wrist- I think it only makes sense to test the patients IM meds by injection a little into your thumb.

Suanna for the win!! I must start doing this!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment