Question to Doctors, Nurses and Phlebotomists?

Question

I have a question regarding the possibility of transmission of HIV in the case the same needle is re used by mistake to draw blood from two different patients. From what I understand, the risk is in the small amount of risidual blood inside the hollow bore needle (since any blood on the surface will not have any viable HIV particles due to exposure to air). But this risidual blood inside the needle would not go into the blood stream of the next patient since the action performed is blood draw not injection....so how come there is a risk?

Answer 1

I'm a nurse and that is a good question. This is possible because the virus can live on a surface for some time and it really don't take much blood and /or secretions to infect another person. It is very possible to pass it on. The blood in question may not be seen by the naked eye but it is very present in/on the needle. I hope you understand me. Take care and all the best.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

What an ignorant question. ALL needles and ALL scalple blades and such get placed into a sharps bin after use so where are you comming from? If you are a non medic don't let this hastle you, if you are a medic, go and study the protocol of the discarding of used needle between patients and the washing of hands and gloving up before taking care of another patient, you really need to go back to school. Don't put down the medical fraternity with your ignorance!!!

Answer 4

Even though the blood is being drawn out of the body some of the blood will go back into the vein, like a little bit of back flow. This is a remote possibilty due to the fact that all healthcare workers are trained about not reusing needles...but this sort of thing has happened.

Answer 5

that would never happen....never unless you're in some developing country. the red cross and hospitals in america are meticulous about not allowing this to happen



there is still a risk because the blood can still flow into the bloodstream