Will i get in trouble?

[Figaro18]

I posted earlier about the contact i had with a patients blood (i picked up her bloody alcohol swab without realizing it)

I did go to PCP who told me not to worry, but my school did say i can/can't report it to the hospital. They said its up to the ER at the placement location to decide if they want to draw blood or not. I understand the risk is minimal.

I kind of want to report it just to be extra cautious but i also don't want everyone on the unit to know it was me or something. I don't even know if thats possible but I'm so embarrassed.

I also didn't tell my placement instructor till the day after it happened because the unit was so busy it completely slipped my mind. I'm hoping she won't get upset at me for not telling her right away. I'm so mad at myself for messing up.

[VerticalHorizon]

You need to educate yourself on the transmission of blood borne disease. There is absolutely zero chance you were infected with something from picking up an alcohol swab with a little blood on it. Even if you stick yourself with a needle with infected blood there is an extremely small chance of contracting the disease, it's less than 2% for HepC and less than 0.5% for HIV.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

As per the Terms of Service we cannot give medical advice.

CDC - Bloodborne Infectious Diseases - General Resources on Bloodborne Pathogens - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Your instructor is not going to be upset. She is not going to fail you. If you go to the ER and report it, your classmates are not going to know (HIPAA). You're overthinking this. Several medical professionals with far more experience than you have told you this is not a big deal. If it will make you feel better to go to the ER and have blood drawn, and serial blood draws for the next several months, than do so. Otherwise, take the advice of your PCP and go study.