Nurse re-used dirty needle?

A few months ago I was staying in hospital, I had to have a blood test. As the nurse put the needle in to my arm I noticed there was dried blood on the needle she was using I didn't say anything, but how likely is it that this might happen?

Reply 1

noujazeg

2

It's definitely not impossible; there are some serious idiots out there. I wouldn't take any risks and get tested for blood-transmitted diseases.

In the meantime, try not to panic about it too much; the odds of you having caught something are slim. It's just always better to be on the safe side. I can imagine you being scared and feeling like you'd rather not know, but you'll feel better when it's been conformirmed that you're clear, and obviously if there is something wrong you should know so you can get treatment.

Good luck. :smile:

Reply 2

Laus

13

I don't think you should panic but I do think you should report this incident. Needles ought to be thrown away straight after use. Hospitals shouldn't get away with mistakes like that. Like howsoonisnow said, the odds you have caught something is slim but get yourself checked out if you feel worried.

Reply 3

BexTait

1

Anonymous

A few months ago I was staying in hospital, I had to have a blood test. As the nurse put the needle in to my arm I noticed there was dried blood on the needle she was using I didn't say anything, but how likely is it that this might happen?

If you were going to say something, you should have said it at the time I think. I'd still get tested for disease, but given the time spell, some things that you could potentially have got would have shown themselves by now I'd imagine.

Reply 4

Annie72

17

I am sure this goes against ALL infection control policies. I was training to be a nurse and I cannot believe this has happened. It may be to late to report the nurse to anyone, but I agree with everyone PLEASE get yourself checked out for blood borne disease, the chances of you having anything are small but do it anyway just for peace of mind. Are you sure it was a nurse who took your blood and not a plebotamist ( sorry about the spelling ) ?.

I am very shocked by what has happened to you.

you can PM me if you want to talk about it. :smile:

Reply 5

jason1988

TBH the chances of having a used needle used again are very slim indeed, each needle is freshly wrapped and only usually opened next to the patient when they are taking blood and then disposed of straight away, i would be very suprised if you were tested with a used needle but if you are convinced just get yourself checked to be on the safe side.

Reply 6

wallflower2

3

BexTait

If you were going to say something, you should have said it at the time I think. I'd still get tested for disease, but given the time spell, some things that you could potentially have got would have shown themselves by now I'd imagine.

The thing is that I was staying in a psychiatric unit and I was afraid that if I told anyone they might mistake my concerns as symptoms of mental illness.

Reply 7

Triplet1

13

Did you see the nurse take it out of a packet or anything?

Reply 8

Anonymous #1

OP

No I don't remember her taking the needle from a packet.

Reply 9

JacquesNoir

1

Are you sure it wasn't sterilisation fluid or some other anti-septic agent :rolleyes:

I'm sure you were just panicking and over reacted.

Reply 10

wallflower2

3

It could have beeen anti septic, but it looked a lot like blood. I'm not sure what to do about this because I am afraid my doctor will now think I am having a re-lapse and won't believe what I am saying.

Reply 11

34253

2

There's a lot of procedures in place to stop this sort of thing happening. I very much doubt she did re-use a needle. If you do suspect something in the future you should definately stop them.

Reply 12

ßlαcksωαn

17

omg argh

Reply 13

Magnanimity

14

Go and get tested for blood borne diseases. It's not worth taking any risks. The needle may or may not have been contaminated but it's better that you know if you've contracted anything (even though the chances are slim). You don't always show symptoms in blood borne disease, you can be a carrier.

You shouldn't put any liquids on a needle to sterilise it. It should come out a pack sterile and disposed of after use.

There are some right idiots out there (particularly if they are older and not familiar with new protocols) who will think it's okay to reuse needles.

I highly doubt you've contracted anything, but you should get checked anyway and sue that nurses ass!

Reply 14

noujazeg

2

I got negged for my contribution to this thread. JacquesNoir posted this:

JacquesNoir

Are you sure it wasn't sterilisation fluid or some other anti-septic agent :rolleyes:

I'm sure you were just panicking and over reacted.

I responded thusly:

howsoonisnow

You're being both presumptuous and rude. You can't be SURE because you weren't there, and there's no need to roll your eyes, especially when you know she was mentally ill at the time.

The neg repper (would it be too presumptuous to suspect that it was JacquesNoir?) left me the following message: "Neither do you, you weren't ****ing there either. And whose being presumptious now, just because she was in a Psychiactric ward does NOT mean she was mentally ill!"

Let me tell you now: I never claimed to know what happened, which is precisely why I told her to get herself tested JUST IN CASE.

Furthermore, she was afraid that expressing her fears to her doctor would result in her thinking she had a 'relapse'. What could she possibly mean other than a relapse of her mental illness?

Edit: hmmm. I edited that weirdly. And removed my own post. Ah well, I've made my point.

Reply 15

naivesincerity

2

Sue the bitch for all she's got.

Reply 16

Dionysus

15

Report this, it's a serious incident and whether or not it was a mistake, if this is happening on a regular basis, other patients are at risk.

Reply 17

34253

2

naivesincerity

Sue the bitch for all she's got.

That will never happen lol. Maybe if it was the day or even week after but not months, there's just no way of proving anything.

Reply 18

Anonymous #2

2

Elipsis

That will never happen lol. Maybe if it was the day or even week after but not months, there's just no way of proving anything.

I got someone sacked(I think) by making a complaint about them ages after the event

Reply 19

Helenia

20

naivesincerity

Sue the bitch for all she's got.

Your case would only stand a chance if a)it actually happened and b)the patient suffered harm as a result.

As someone trained in taking blood and having done a fair amount, this would surprise me to the point of horror. There are some things you get a bit lax about when you've been doing it a while (not bringing sharps bin to the bedside, things like that) but you would never, EVER re-use a needle. Ever. So if it did happen this would be a serious offence. But it's such a big deal that to be honest I can't even imagine it happening any more.

Nurse re-used dirty needle?

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