Superficial needle stick that didnt draw blood

[medicman341]

I am a paramedic who was starting an IV on a patient. Needless to say I missed the vein and was retracting the needle to try again. I never cannulated a vein or artery. Upon removal my finger slipped and I recieved a slight stick. I dont know if it was a full stick it didnt draw any blood. It was a 20ga hollow bore needle and im pretty sure since i didnt cannulate the vein there was no blood in the needle. No blood in glove and was unable to squeeze blood out. Been a wreck since. Patient was not tested but his labs came back normal for liver enzymes and white blood cell count was perfect. Can anybody tell me if if I was at risk or over reacting. Just need some piece of mind here.

[willbb]

the likelyhood of transmission is less than 1%
. ---------------------------------------------------------------

. Risk

While needlestick injuries have the potential of transferring bacteria, protozoa, viruses and prions,[1] from a practical point the transmission of the hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is important. It is estimated that annually as a consequence there are 66,000 infections with HBV, 16,000 with HCV, and 1,000 with HIV worldwide.[2] In addition, a needlestick injury may lead to significant stress and anxiety for the affected injured person. Taking care of a needlestick injury is costly, estimated to be about $2,500 in the short term in the US.[5]

Hepatitis B carries the greatest risk of transmission, with 37 to 62% of exposed workers eventually showing seroconversion and 22 to 31% showing clinical Hepatitis B infection.[13][14] The hepatitis C transmission rate has been reported at 1.8%,[13][15] but newer, larger surveys have shown only a 0.5% transmission rate.[16] The overall risk of HIV infection after percutaneous exposure to HIV-infected material in the health care setting is 0.3%.[17][18]

The specific risk of a single injury depends on a number of factors when the patients harbor the virus of concern. Injuries with a hollow-bore needle, deep penetration, visible blood on the needle, a needle that was located in a deep artery or vein, or with blood from terminally ill patients are known to increase the risk for HIV infection.[19][20]

Estimates of the risk of a single injury indicate a risk of 300 HBV infections (30% risk), 30 HCV infection (3% risk) and 3 HIV infections (0.3% risk) per 1,000 respective exposures.[9]

While the vast majority of needlestick injuries occur when the source-person does not carry the HBV, HCV, and HIV and thus do not carry a risk of infection, these events nevertheless cause stress and anxiety and signal a breakdown in protocol and prevention.

[kirk8]

the likelyhood of transmission is less than 1%

[medicman341]

Thank you both very much I know my chances are great I'm fine too this helped relieve some anxiety

[ceanothus]

I agree with Will. HCV transmission from a needlestick even with hcv positive blood is not very high, but testing is always recommended. See this article for more info: http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/Jensen.html.

Chances are excellent that you are fine, but it is important to test for certainty. Best wishes!

[willbb]

As you must know ,any needle stick  injury should always be reported to your proper authorities .sothe correct testing can  be initiated

In my country(Canada) the protocol would be immediate testing for HIV.HCV,HBV and HAV  amongst some other pathogens

Your risk given the scenario you describe is probably low,however testing is the only way to know for certain as well as relieve any further stress about it

Best of luck..
Will