Stuck myself with a needle

[Nurse03499]

I'm an experienced nurse new to infectious disease. I have only been in th position 3 was, when last week I was drawing blood on an HIV pt and stuck myself as I was throwing the needle away in the sharps container. I'm new to drawing blood and I blew the vein, the pt was irritated and I think this is what threw me off? I'm now on Isentress and Truvada, they are making me so sick. I have dizziness, h/a, n/v, fatigue. The pts viral load was undetectable, but I know I have to continue taking them. I even called in to work today I told the ID doc who didn't seem to care. should I be getting paid today through workmanship comp? I have a hex of major depression and I'm so afraid this is going to ignite my depression. I'm on meds and talk to someone.

Has this ever happened to anyone else or similar situations?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Were you told to stay home by occupational health/employer health? Deciding on your own to stay home does not trigger worker's compensation wages. Worker's compensation will pay for testing and treatment directly related to a work place injury or illness. (lab work, follow up testing, medications and counseling related to testing schedule, medications, risks&side effects, etc.)

As far as exacerbation of a prior health condition this would have to be determined by the employee/occupational health physician in conjunction with your treating physician. It's possible but not guaranteed.

If the injury or illness puts you in a position where you cannot work as a result of illness/injury then workers comp pays wages. For example a coworker contracted chicken pox from a client and was too ill to work due to illness and isolation. She was paid by WC for time missed due to illness as well as medical treatment. as certified and ordered by employee health.

A friend had a workplace accident whereby had a compound proximal humerus fracture due to a fall (related to an unsafe work area!). She was covered for all testing, treatment, surgery, and rehab as well as time off because the reason for not working was directly due to a workplace injury as certified by the occupational health physician.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Contact the HR person at your workplace for guidance. Your health insurance plan, or a plan thru HR, may also offer counseling in the form of employee assistance program. I wish you luck and good health.