Threat of needle sticks!!

WSU_Ally_RN, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2006

most hospitals i have been in have gone to needleless systems, where the only time you actually use a needle is to get the medicine out of the vial. You then take the needle off and either put on a special adaptor or don't need anything at all to inject the medicine into the pt's IV. As far as starting IV's, most patients I have started them on are pretty good about being still. They realize that they need it and just grin and bear it. In my opinion, worrying about getting stuck with a dirty needle shouldn't keep you from becomming a nurse, if that is truly what you want to be.

MackNJacks mom · Jul 14, 2006

I work in a pediatric hospital and the only needles we use are for IVs and injections. We use blunt tip plastic needles to draw out of most vials. If you have enough help when starting an IV you will not be stuck. I would think that it would be easier with adults, maybe you don't even need help. When we draw labs we have the cool angel things that transfer which are also needleless.

TazziRN, RN · Jul 14, 2006

I have gotten stuck so many times that I just groan and pull out the needlestick report to fill out. Have never contracted anything.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jul 15, 2006

The threat of a needlestick in today's US hospitals is VERY minimal for the prudent nurse who takes precautions. Worry about other things. (j/k)

vamedic4, EMT-P · Jul 15, 2006

I'm in the same boat as Tazzi...I work in peds and start IVs thru the night. I've stuck myself or been stuck at least 8 times and have never had any problems.

Needles are not a big deal as long as you are aware of what is happening around you. Most of my sticks have been from inattention/ distraction/ reaching my hand somewhere I shouldn't have.

They are also correct about withdrawing meds from vials. You can most times do this with needleless tips on your syringes..we do, and it reduces the threat of needlestick/blood exposure significantly.

Hope this helps.

vamedic4

soliant12 · Jul 15, 2006

If I usually get stuck at least three or four times a day on average some days a little more others a little less.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jul 15, 2006

If I usually get stuck at least three or four times a day on average some days a little more others a little less.

Are you serious? This seems like a lot!

oneLoneNurse · Jul 15, 2006

We have gone needleless. The needle point retracts into a case once you have given the injection. Unless you withdrawal without the needle being encased which has happened to me several times in the past, BUT not since I have gotten used to the system.

Its a nice system which should be brought into law, here in the US. Why have a system where the nurse can get stuck with a used needle ?

Hi all. I am just curious. I am planning on going to nursing school this coming Spring. How likely is it that one gets stuck with a dirty needle? Does that happen often? I want to do nursing, but I am having second thoughts as I do not want to get stuck with a dirty needle OR be trying to take blood and the person flinch and I get stuck. EEEeeeeeee... I don't mind operating with a scalpel and such, that does not bother me, but the getting stuck with a dirty needle while the person is awake and responsive bothers me. How much of a realistic threat is this????? Help!
Epona

oneLoneNurse · Jul 15, 2006

Sorry to hear that. I am assuming that is because of your staffing and system. Here in the US I think most places have gone needleless. I think that may be the law and if its not I think it should be.

If I usually get stuck at least three or four times a day on average some days a little more others a little less.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2006

I had my first and only dirty needle stick this past January. I've been a nurse for 15 years. We're needleless but I was giving an IM injection, dropped the needle and picked it up and stuck myself picking it up while I was talking to the patient and not paying attention. As with anything in nursing the minute you let your guard down, you're burned.

I've stuck myself a couple of times with clean needles as well.

I wouldn't let your fears keep you away from nursing. It's kind of like driving, you do it anyway even though you could get in a wreck and die.

PhoenixGirl · Jul 15, 2006

Hi all. I am just curious. I am planning on going to nursing school this coming Spring. How likely is it that one gets stuck with a dirty needle? Does that happen often? I want to do nursing, but I am having second thoughts as I do not want to get stuck with a dirty needle OR be trying to take blood and the person flinch and I get stuck. EEEeeeeeee... I don't mind operating with a scalpel and such, that does not bother me, but the getting stuck with a dirty needle while the person is awake and responsive bothers me. How much of a realistic threat is this????? Help!
Epona

It's always a "threat" but how likely is it to happen? probably not likely. THe only needlestick I've heard about in my facility (I've been there 3 months) is a nurse actually stuck a patient and left the needle (did not put the safety on!) in the persons bed. So when the CNA went to give a bedbath she pull on the bedsheets, did not know the needle was there, and it stuck her! Boy was our CCO mad that a needle was left in the bed. Next day there were signs ALL over our facility for the nurses "USE THE SAFETY'S AND THROW IN BIOHAZARD!) Even if that nurse would have left the needle in the bed, but put the safety on, the CNA would not have gotten stuck.

When you are done with an injection make it a habit to *immediately* pull the safety up, then walk over to the biohazard sharps container and put it in.

Pt's are usually compliant with needing shots or getting blood taken. They pull their sleeves up and stay still. If you have a pt who is noncompliant, maybe confused or whatever and they don't stay still, you just don't risk it and get someone to help you hold their arm and keep them still.