Question

Sandra is a nurse in the physician's office and she has just assisted the physician with a suturing procedure. As she is cleaning up afterwards, she is cut by the suture needle and it penetrates her glove.

1. What procedures should be followed?

2. Is the employer responsible even though Sandra made the mistake?

3. How does this incident affect the patient whose blood is on the suture needle?

4. Can the patient be forced to have HIV testing?

Answer 1

Q 1

Answer: The nurse got a needle stick injury by the suture needle. The procedures should be followed includes

- Wash the area by soap and keeping under running water and do not squeeze or do not stop the bleeding.

- Apply antiseptic and dressing

- Immediately inform to th supervisor. Within 24 hours the nurse should take advice or consult the medical doctor in the hospital emergency department.  

- Make a report on details of the needle stick injury by the supervisor and it should be handed over to the hospital infection control nurse for further follow-up.

-Identify the source of patient for any disease like HIV, hepatitis b and C infections. Request to go for screening for the patient after taking consent.

- The nurse also should do screening.

- Get prophylaxis treatment or post-exposure treatment according to the CDC guidelines.

- Document the exposure in detail.

- Follow care should be done every six weeks, three months and six months.

Q2

Answer: Yes, even if the mistake is done by the nurse, the employers are responsible for it. It is because the prevention of needle stick injury can be done by educating the employees by the employers. S, they are responsible for it.

Q3

This incidence affect the patient because the patient have to undergo for the screening of the HIV, Hepatitis, b and C. This can make stress to the patient for undergoing this kind of tests and fear of positive result. This tests should be done after the consent.

Q4

Answer: It is against the law to force someone to undergo for the screening test. The test should be done after the consent taken form the patient and confidentiality should be maintained. If the patient is not willing to go for screening then the health worker can do counseling for the screening need but not forcing for the screening.