Needlestick at Courthouse Lock up

[Murph974]

I was stuck by a needle that was sticking out the bottom of a pocketbook while searching for property at the court where I work. The needle was broken, no syringe attached, it was about the size of a staple with no arms. The woman who owns the pocketbook is a known heroin addict in the community and is currently in jail. The pocketbook has been in the court's possession since june 2, 2011 I was stuck on August 18, 2011. The woman is Hep C positive and HIV negative. Im told Hep C can only survive 4 days outside the body. Do you think Im ok here? the anxiety is getting higher and higher. Thanks

[Murph974]

Thank you, Lynda I reported and workers comp is paying the bill

[Murph974]

Thank you, will

[lynda607]

Since it was a hollow bore needle and the needle was broken air was able to circulate through both ends of the needle.  If there was blood in the needle, there were no special circumstances present like there would be in an enclosed syringe or a full needle attached to a syringe.  The virus can live approximately 4 days on surfaces under normal circumstances.  You should report the incident but in my opinion you should be fine.  The incidence of contracting hepc in health care workers through needle stick exposure under ideal circumstances is approximately 2%.

[Murph974]

It was way too small, cops would've never have found it. No bigger than the length of a thumbnail

[willbb]

given that HCV rarely survives any longer than approx. 4 days outside the body in normal conditions and it has been in the courts possession for 11 weeks the chances of infection are remote to nil of HCV and less for HIV.  

Just as a side note...why is there a needle left out for employees to be able to accidentally stick themselves?

Good luck with the results tommorow
Will

[curiouslady1]

Sorry.  my post crossed yours.  Don't mean to make you anxious.  It is probably going to turn out ok esp since it has been so long in the purse.  I used to work in the joint myself.  Not pleasant, although the benefit package isnt bad.

[curiouslady1]

In fact, I would report it now.  Not necessarily due to HCV or HIV but because whatever bad bloodbourne pathogen is out there one of the first places for it to show up is in the addict population.   In order for you to get employment compensation if you need to, you may have to show that you followed the procedure for reporting needle stick injuries.

[Murph974]

I did, getting results tomorrow. Im starting to crack up

[curiouslady1]

Don't they have a procedure for you to follow at the jail?  I would think you would want to go directly to HR or the doc assigned the minute something like this happens.