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  • Needle Stick

    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.
    I am no longer of capable of the emotion you humans call “compassion”. Though I can feign it in exchange for an hourly wage. (Gravekeeper)

  • #2
    You have to PAY for your Hep-B shots? They should be paid by whoever you work for, or by insurance.

    I have stuck myself with needles a few times but I work with chems only, not with biohazards, so my needles are pretty "clean". I also put a buret through the palm of my hand a few years ago (four stitches on my birthday!).
    Last edited by poofy_puff; 12-01-2008, 05:49 PM.
    I was not hired to respond to those voices.

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    • #3
      I'm a student right now, so yes, I have to pay for the HepB shots. Once I am employed, however, the employer will pick up the cost. Dunno if the shots would be covered by my insurance, but I'd still have to pay for the office visit, which we really can't afford either since I cut my hours at work.
      I am no longer of capable of the emotion you humans call “compassion”. Though I can feign it in exchange for an hourly wage. (Gravekeeper)

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      • #4
        Ouch, not fun.

        So when does your thumb develop superpowers?
        If I dropped everybody who occasionally said something stupid from my list of potential partners, I wouldn’t even be able to masturbate

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        • #5
          Hep shots hurt, and you have to get three of them (1 + 2 boosters). I bet you know that already!
          I was not hired to respond to those voices.

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          • #6
            Im sorry to hear about ur needle stick. I have been fortunate enough to have never *knocks on wood* had a needle stick or other skin penetrating injury after almost 7 years of working directly with scalpels and needles. I did however have a blood/pee/saline mixture hit me right in the eye. I had to go to the ER and have blood drawn and all that.

            I recap needles ALLLLLLLL the time....I know. Its bad. Do try the scoop technique next time. Less of a chance of sticking ur self.


            Id also like to know if ur thumb will be the next Marvel or DC comic.

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            • #7
              Don't be too upset with yourself. As you said, it happens to everyone eventually...Amina, even you, eventually!

              As a vet tech, I poked myself numerous times, but at least never with the euthanasia drugs. Rabies vaccine does not feel very good, however.

              Just try to be careful.
              Everything will be ok in the end. If it's not ok, it's not the end.

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              • #8
                Quoth Nyoibo View Post
                So when does your thumb develop superpowers?
                So he was bitten by a radioactive needle...

                "Needle-man, needle-man,
                Does whatever a needle can
                Pricks a finger, really sharp..."
                "I can tell her you're all tied up in the projection room." Sunset Boulevard.

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                • #9
                  Quoth jedimaster91 View Post
                  I'm a student right now, so yes, I have to pay for the HepB shots. Once I am employed, however, the employer will pick up the cost. Dunno if the shots would be covered by my insurance, but I'd still have to pay for the office visit, which we really can't afford either since I cut my hours at work.
                  Have you checked with your local Health Dep? Admittedly I live in a different state, but I was able to get the full series for HepB for free. They just wanted to know if I had a good reason for wanting it (I did), and gave me the first one then and there.

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                  • #10
                    "Oh no! You've been exposed to radiation, and a mutated hand has grown out of your stomach! What's the best course of treatment?"

                    I've been playing too much Fallout 3 it seems

                    *Hands jedi some RadAway for use now and some RadX for the future*
                    I am the nocturnal echo-locating flying mammal man.

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                    • #11
                      Eh. Good ol' soap and water works great if you catch the contamination early enough. Heck, I saw a spill cleaned quite effectively with Windex the other day.

                      Besides, Technicium has a half-life of 6 hours. It's long dead by now.




                      *Jedi Thumb SMASH!!*
                      I am no longer of capable of the emotion you humans call “compassion”. Though I can feign it in exchange for an hourly wage. (Gravekeeper)

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                      • #12
                        *twitches at the words half life and runs to go get his emergency crow bar*
                        I am the nocturnal echo-locating flying mammal man.

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                        • #13
                          Quoth Nyoibo View Post
                          So when does your thumb develop superpowers?
                          He already has them, but they won't manifest until next time he tries to hitchhike or rate a movie.

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                          • #14
                            Quoth Amina516 View Post
                            Id also like to know if ur thumb will be the next Marvel or DC comic.
                            I should make a little cape for it, huh? As soon as Mr Jedi stops giving me that look like he thinks I've lost what little of my mind I had left.
                            I am no longer of capable of the emotion you humans call “compassion”. Though I can feign it in exchange for an hourly wage. (Gravekeeper)

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