Worst case scenario needle stick

[LaughingRN]

Yep

After reading about other people panicking on allnurses about the cursed needle stick....I can finally join the club.

Unfortunately.

These are the facts:

1. drawing labs with a butterfly, and about to retract

2. Patient moved unexpectedly and rapidly

3. needle pierced my hand

4. I was wearing gloves

5. I bled a lot under my gloves, indicating a deeper stick

6. Patient was a confirmed HIV+ with fairly high viral load according to last labs

7. Patient was already confirmed Hep C+

8. I started antiviral HIV meds within an hour and a half after incident

9. There are no prophylaxis meds for hep C

10. The labs were redrawn anyways on the patient (but not holding hope for a previous mistake)

10. I already know the statistics, as I was counseled heavily at work

My question is, how do I sleep at night, I am so so so upset, the kind of upset that makes you want to "turn back to 5" and crawl into your mom's lap and cry

Any support welcome

[EllieBean13]

I am so sorry you are going though this. I will keep you in my thoughts

[Kiwidanni]

Ohno, I am so sorry, that sounds incredibly stressful.

My suggestion would be to stress, cry and talk the situation to death, then it may not weigh as heavy in your mind so you can perhaps sleep. Dunno if it will work though.

[payang0722]

OMG...Aww...I am so sorry for you. Right now, you can't sleep and having hard time focusing on anything else but that incident. Hope everything will be fine.

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

oh that is just awful Laughing RN

Sending lots of support and love your way

xxx

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Talk to your primary MD if you are struggling. I'm not a huge drug person, but maybe you need something for anxiety until you can get over the initial hump.

I'm so sorry. It's so difficult to function when your head and heart are full of worry.

[Dazglue, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I am so sorry that this happened to you. I don't think there's nothing anyone can say to make you NOT stress about it. I know I still would. I wish you the best of luck and will remind you of that small percentage that you have of getting HIV. That's why we wear gloves. It's out 1st line of defense in somewhat "cleansing" the blood off the needle before entering the skin.

[IdrilRN, BSN, RN]

I am sorry this happened and hope everything works out ok.

[cmdb]

When I worked in the dental field I was stuck with a needle. Thankfully the patient was kind enough to admit to a HIV test. It was negative. I understand the statistics but I have to say that I know someone who has been positive since 1987 and you would never know that she had it. I will pray that you will be comforted so you can get a good nights rest. Good luck to you.

[anniebk]

That is such a scary situation and I'm so sorry it happened to you! Maybe it would be helpful to talk to other nurses at your job who may have had needlesticks or similar exposures. Hopefully after the initial shock of processing what happened you will be able to sleep better. Maybe even take a few days and go on a short trip either by yourself or with some close friends to clear your head and take your mind off things. My advice is to just hope for the best yet be prepared for the worst in the back of your mind. I'll be thinking about you and sending ya prayers. Best of luck.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

please consider talking with your eap to get you though this event.

in 1998, karen dailey rn suffered similar event and became hiv positive---her efforts lead to needlestick safety legislation and today she is ana president.

sharps safety: karen daley, mph, rn

karen daley: a needlestick changed ana president's life - phts

one can succeed after this incident.

[NurseKatie08, MSN]

So sorry you're going through this, OP. It's a scary thing. I had a needlestick about a year ago (barely penetrated my thumb with an insulin needle, pt was negative and so was I after all the testing) and it just shakes you up. Sending hugs & prayers your way...you'll get through it!