I know it happens eventually to anyone who does anything with needles. Today it happened to me.
Some background: I'm doing my Nuclear Pharmacy rotation. I thought this was what I eventually wanted to do for a career, but it hasn't been that great of an experience.
Each imaging agent has to pass certain quality control procedures. I was doing Radiochromotograpy strips, which basically indicates whether or not the compounds tagged properly. Federal regs for most kits is 90% tagged, else it doesn't go to the right part of the body and you end up with annoyed doctors and angrier patients.
So I spotted my strip and went to put the cap back on the needle. Yes, I know recapping needles is a no-no, but it's one of those rules that looks good on paper, but in reality is rarely practical. The samples are in TB syringes that have really sharp needles on them. I guess I didn't get the needle in the cap quite straight and the next thing I know, the needle has come through the cap and into my thumb. Ouchies!
Good news, it was a clean needle. So no worries about HIV or HepB, or anything like that.
Bad News, it was a hot needle. I now have a slightly radioactive thumb. Thankfully, most of the contamination was able to be washed off, but my thumb is still slightly above background.
I've alternated between embarassed, upset, and ticked off at myself all day. I've tried to be so careful. I even quit drinking caffeine in the mornings because it made my hands shaky and I didn't want to miss the cap (or patient) and stick myself. Although, if it was going to happen, I'm glad it happened in a place where there are no dirty needles, especially since I can't afford the HepB shots right now.
Some background: I'm doing my Nuclear Pharmacy rotation. I thought this was what I eventually wanted to do for a career, but it hasn't been that great of an experience.
Each imaging agent has to pass certain quality control procedures. I was doing Radiochromotograpy strips, which basically indicates whether or not the compounds tagged properly. Federal regs for most kits is 90% tagged, else it doesn't go to the right part of the body and you end up with annoyed doctors and angrier patients.
So I spotted my strip and went to put the cap back on the needle. Yes, I know recapping needles is a no-no, but it's one of those rules that looks good on paper, but in reality is rarely practical. The samples are in TB syringes that have really sharp needles on them. I guess I didn't get the needle in the cap quite straight and the next thing I know, the needle has come through the cap and into my thumb. Ouchies!

Good news, it was a clean needle. So no worries about HIV or HepB, or anything like that.
Bad News, it was a hot needle. I now have a slightly radioactive thumb. Thankfully, most of the contamination was able to be washed off, but my thumb is still slightly above background.
I've alternated between embarassed, upset, and ticked off at myself all day. I've tried to be so careful. I even quit drinking caffeine in the mornings because it made my hands shaky and I didn't want to miss the cap (or patient) and stick myself. Although, if it was going to happen, I'm glad it happened in a place where there are no dirty needles, especially since I can't afford the HepB shots right now.
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