anagha
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 1
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Hi
I am a PGY 1. I sustained a needle stick injury while drawing blood on a patient. The patient is refusing to be tested for HIV and my hospital can't do anything about it. They have just offered me anti HIV medications but these medications are making me dizzy and nauseous and have serious side effects like leukopenia, bone marrow suppression.If the patient gets tested I can stop these medicines if the result comes negative but since he is refusing I have to take them for 6 weeks. In the first place I am scared that he could be HIV +ve and even if he is negative, I will be almost dead by the side effects of these medicines.
I would like to know if I have any rights as a resident to protest against this injustice. Thank you.
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| prep4usmle
Administrator
Topics: 288
Posts: 1,193
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I am sorry to hear about the accident you had.
I'm not aware of any law that can make HIV test mandatory for the patient in your case. If you find one you can get a court order to test the patient.
Regards!
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| Flor42
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 7
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don't panic, the probability to get infected with a poke is very minimun.
anyway for you calm, wait 6 months for testing.
U need +/- 1-2cc volume of blood to be infected.
there is a site about ur issue. wink
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| BumbleB
Forum Junior
Topics: 2
Posts: 83
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Let's say this @$$hole pt. is infected...
Then the chance of you getting infected is something like 0.3-0.5% according to statistics, maybe more if the pts viral load is way high...
The funny thing is this is also about the chance of catching HIV from one act of unprotected sexual intercourse...
So pretend that you F*#!ked this pt. and get on with your life...
I don't think the hospital can tell you to keep taking your little inhibitors until you're "almost dead"... maybe its possible to switch to a somewhat different cocktail?
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| docj
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 5
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Hypothetically, what if? If he's still a patient, maybe you should consider borrowing a mL or so of the next draw and submit it yourself to one of the private companies that offer "do it yourself" kits these days.
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| alice8
Forum Guru
Topics: 37
Posts: 643
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Which chances are we talking about guys here,you are so calm about the issue.Congrats :roll:
But if this happened to someone, chances to get infected is either 100% or 0% .I can not understand "wait and see" logic...
If I were you,regardless of what patient thinks or does,I will borrow his/her blood with/without permission...There must be a regulation for this kind of circumstances to protect doc's...Am i wrong or am i an IMG who doesn't capable to get :!: that kind of stuff easily :roll: :?:
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| docj
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 5
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For what it's worth, I had a gal who tried to bite me while I helped restrain her in the ED. She "claimed" to be HIV+. When she was unable to bite me, she spit in my eye. Security was there, and I asked to file charges for assault (I believe people should be held accountable for their actions). They acted like I was from outer space! What kind of medical student would consider filing charges against a patient! I'm suprised I wasn't officially reprimanded. It's been quite a long time, and I surely haven't lost any weight (wish I could). I never got around to a formal test or the IG series or anything, considering the rarity of passage. I know many a doc that has contracted HBV from needlestick injuries, so the threat is very real.
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| MAIA
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 16
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I canot be 100% sure, but I think you do not need patient consent for hiv testing if a healcare worker had an exposure to his/her bodily fluids. This is your right to know what you are dealing with. Stand up for your rights and health.
Hope all is going to be fine with you. Best of luck
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| docj
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 5
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I hadn't even thought about it in a long time. I'm really not worried about it. I'm sure I didn't get anything but aggrivated by the experience. I should have worked her over, though. As for the rights, I'm not sure. They acted like I didn't have any, and I know someone who had an actual stick who had to have consent before a draw. Maybe it varies from state to state. It shouldn't. We are here to help these people and yet we put ourselves at risk. Who's looking out for us?
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| FH
Forum Senior
Topics: 10
Posts: 136
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Hi Guys,
I havejust passed step1. I had a similar question during my prep. Where they mentioned the same senerio and a nurse gets a finger prick. Well the correct answer was that its a potential harm, so the attending can order an hiv test on the pt without his consent!
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