I went to a lab yesterday where I had blood drawn for a blood test. The nurse took a needle from the drawer, uncapped it then attached it to a vacutainer and drew my blood. Then she recapped the needle, and threw it in the disposer.
My question is, does it happen that sometimes the nurse may forget and by mistake recap the needle and put it in the drawer with the new needles and then reuse it again by mistake? Or will it show that the needle has been used before when she attempts to use it again (due to blood stains and other things)?
I am worried since none of the needles in the drawer were wrapped so how to know that they were new..
2006-07-02 16:26:59 · 12 answers · asked by Scared 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
I was told that needles used with vacutainers are not always wrapped but they come with a seal on them that is brokes once u use the needle...is that true?
2006-07-02 16:35:21 · update #1
Yeah...I saw her dispose the needle in the sharps disposal
2006-07-02 16:47:49 · update #2
How does the seal on the cap look like...and is it easily noticed by the nurse?
2006-07-02 22:33:39 · update #3
My mom is a nurse, and in her hospital, you're not allowed to use the same needle for anything, even on the same patient. They automatically through them out and take a new one. They're not even supposed to recap them because it puts their risk too high of getting pricked by accident. They're supposed to "eject" it straight into the disposal bag without touching it. Maybe you should call Human Resources or something and let them know. Maybe that nurse isn't following directions as well as she should. I wouldn't think she'd put it BACK in the drawer though. Kind of like if you use a pair of socks, would your really think to put them pack in the drawer after you use them? Or do you subconsciously just "know" to put them in the hamper?
But definately point that out and ask about their policy. It will draw attention to it.
2006-07-02 16:30:41 · answer #1 · answered by chica_zarca 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Needles (of all kinds, not just ones for drawing blood) have seals that must be broken when they are uncapped. When a nurse or phlebotomist takes a needle and attaches it to a vacutainer they must break this seal to get the cap off. It is obvious once the seal has been broken, so I would say it would be highly unlikely, (never impossible, though) that someone drawing blood would not notice if they went to attach a needle and the seal was already broken.
2006-07-02 23:34:53 · answer #2 · answered by nik 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, i am not a nurse but my mother is and they have to follow certian health codes. If you have ever noticed a nurse will recap the needle and put it right in the biohazard box NEVER will the place it on the counter, they do this so they will not mess up. Most of all needles are now where the needle will retract into the body of the case rigth after use.
2006-07-02 23:44:17 · answer #3 · answered by H-TOWN 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow that is really scary! most needles are required to have a safety lock on them that prevents re-use and also prevents accidental sticks. There are so many types of needles that it is hard to guess what kind they used. did you watch her dispose of it in a sharps container? Im not saying it is impossible for the needles to be re-used by accident but VERY unlikely. I would go back to this lab and talk to a supervisor. the phlebotomist (she probably wasn't a nurse) who drew your blood may have been in a hurry, but this still needs to be addressed. Just recapping it puts her at risk, so maybe she just needs to be reminded of proper techniques.
2006-07-02 23:35:47 · answer #4 · answered by shadow_lion 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a nurse.. yet.. am a student but the needle should have been in a sterilized sealed package.. and when disposed of should be uncapped in medical waste container.. maybe you should voice your concern to the lab!
2006-07-02 23:32:04 · answer #5 · answered by swiper_no_swiping2006 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a nurse, and used needles are not to be recapped period. You can take a chance on getting a needlestick injury. As soon as the needle is used, it should be put directly into a sharps container (red container w/biohazard warnings on it).
2006-07-02 23:34:28 · answer #6 · answered by taylor_lynn01 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No honey dont worry about nothing at all.But u should tell b/c thats how people get A. I.D.S an if she been working on that hall um u cant see tha blood on tha needle tho we dont pay that close to tha ends.
2006-07-02 23:34:49 · answer #7 · answered by wild cherry 69$$$ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all nurses know that you NEVER RECAP a needle. Even CNA's know this one. We r taught this over, n over again. it's dangerous n illegal. any decent nurse takes precautions when handling needles, cuz u never know what may be on it.( bateria wise)
2006-07-02 23:32:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, dude, you are seriously screwed.
All new needles should be wrapped before use.
That's that one place where all the nurses picked up a.i.d.s. from as an occupational hazard and now they're getting everybody back......dude.
2006-07-02 23:31:32 · answer #9 · answered by shehawke 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im not a nurse but i think once you inject someone with a needle, there isnt anymore medicine left in it.....they usually try to be very clean and careful in a hospital....
2006-07-02 23:30:18 · answer #10 · answered by narcissa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋