Help. Lab lady didn't dispose of needle immediately.

[AJC2011]

I had my blood drawn and the noticed the lab lady that drew my blood had a syringe with something attached to it sitting ON TOP of the sharps container. It was only when she saw me staring at it that she shook the container to have it drop into the box. I'm worried as to why she didn't dispose of it properly right away. Now I'm afraid she had reused a needle on me that she didn't dispose of properly. I'm afraid...

[AJC2011]

Thanks, nursegirl6572.

I really appreciate your time and your input. You're probably right that I'm overthinking the situation.

The sharps disposal container didn't have a lever or anything though, it was just a plastic box with a hole on top of it. I noticed the other blood-drawing stations had yellow containers for needle disposal (no lever either). But, in any case. I'm most likely (hopefully) just overthinking the situation, like you said. I see that there are others here posting similar anxious concerns.

I'll try to chill out about this. Thanks again! Have a good night :)

[nursegirl6572]

Don't overthink this...there could be a million reasons.  The sharps container (where needles are disposed) could have been full and needing emptied, which could have placed her at risk trying to place another sharps in the container...she could have disposed of it but the needle did not go down all the way...with many sharps containers, a lever needs to be pulled to push the needle down in the container.  The worker places the discarded needle on top and pulls the lever.  She may not have pulled the lever all the way.  It sounds perfectly normal to me.

Again...most products are not reusable anyway these days, you have nothing to worry about.

[AJC2011]

Thanks, Nursegirl6572. I hope you're right. I'm awaiting my test results because of my worry due to this incident. I just don't know why she did not dispose of it properly right away.

Thanks again for your response.

[nursegirl6572]

Not possible.  Medical workers do not reuse equipment like that...for one, it would place THEM at greater risk for a needlestick injury which could lead to other infections...for two...it would make their job twice as hard...and lastly...most equipment out there today is single use only and once it is used, it cannot be used again...it won't work.

It's an irrational fear...put it out of your mind!

[AJC2011]

Sorry. By "syringe" i meant the needle she used to draw blood from me.