Risk of HIV/HEPC from ampoule/vial cut

[rosalia25]

Hello.
I am concerned about an incident  that occurred today at work. I'm a RN and while I was mixing some Sodium Chloride water for injection with some medications. I was working with another RN and she opened all the glass ampoules/vials without wearing gloves. After that I started mixing the medication vials and water (goes thorough a syringe driver). When I removed my gloves off I had a little cut on my thumb, I am not sure if the cut comes from the top of the opened ampoule as it can be really sharp. I am concerned as my colleague wasn't wearing gloves when opening the ampoules and she may have cut herself. Would it be possible for the ampoule to transmit a blood borne disease in that way?
I hope it makes sense.
Thanks

[mkh9]

I'm glad to be of help.
mkh9

[rosalia25]

Thanks a lot for your help. You've been really helpful.

[mkh9]

The plastic itself will not cause any kind of disease. So if you are sure that is the cause then don't worry about it. But if you are unsure you may want to get tested if you think it is from the other person. Otherwise, you are okay.
mkh9

[rosalia25]

Thanks for your help.
I am thinking that the type of crack that I have on my thumb was caused by the pressure that you get from the syringe nozzle when you're withdrawing the medication from the ampoule. I did recapped the needle using non touch technique and the plastic part of the needle that you attached to the syringe can be sharp, although is a plastic can it transmit blood-borne disease? It could have been the cause of my crack thumb.
Hope it makes sense. Thanks again.

[mkh9]

It isn't possible to HIV without someone else's blood on it. Also, HIV dies once it is dried. So, I guess it is up to you to decide whether it is a on the job incident. I can't make that decision for you. But you can kind of tell by the way the cut is. If it is a usual cut on the knuckle where you get them then maybe that is what it was. But, it if it is a different kind of cut you don't usually have that might help to distinguish the two?
Regards,
mkh9

[rosalia25]

Also I am reading that accidental cuts with a new glass vial can transmit HIV. Even if you're the person opening the vial getting cut with it and then discarding it. I mean without a second person involved. How is that possible?
Thanks

[rosalia25]

I asked her a few hours after the incident by phone and she said she didn't cut herself.I inspected the gloves thoroughly after the incident and could not see any poke, I even filled them with water and they did not leak..
I tend to get crack skin on my thumbs and I am thinking that it could be that but I'm not 100% sure. I am feeling really panicky.
My hep b immunizations is up to date.

thanks.

[mkh9]

     Hi and sorry this happened. You didn't ask the other nurse if she had cut herself? I would think if you cut yourself on one of these ampules then you would have felt it and also the glove would have been cut.  So, you may or may not have been cut by the ampule. But if you were cut by it you need to report it as a work injury or incident. You should be tested for Hepatitis B and C (unless you were vaccinated for Hepatitis B). Also, HIV. Unless this person is willing to do the testing of herself. But these days HIPPA doesn't allow you to ask those questions. I had that happen where I working in the lab and dropped a tube of blood on the counter and it splashed in my face. They wouldn't test the other person's blood so I had to get tested.

It doesn't sound like you got poked or the glove would have showed that there was a tear or hole unless the hole is too small to see. But I know a needle mark you can't see and I have been stuck that way too unfortunately.  So, it is possible if it is as sharp at one point as a needle you may not have seen the hole.
So, I guess I would report it and get tested since you didn't have a cut before that and you did after. For a needle stick it is about 1/1000 chance of getting HIV and more for Hepatitis. So that is about what you would figure for a cut, maybe a little higher. That is about 0.01% risk for HIV and it is much higher for Hepatitis. It probably is just a precaution but better to be safe.

You can get a shot of Gamma Globulin to boost your immunity for Hepatitis prevention as soon as possible if they will let you. It cuts down the risk of acquiring it. I would talk your supervisor ASAP.

regards,

mkh9

[rosalia25]

I forgot to add that I checked my gloves and did not have any poke.