Question to Nurses and Phlobotmosist?

Hello

I am always afraid when I go for a blood draw that the needle they will use on me will be used by mistake on me after it has been used on an HIV positive patient and I will get infected. I always watch the needle and the barrel of the syringe to make sure there is no blood showing...If I dont see any blood, does it mean I am safe? Because I see that after the blood draw, there is always blood left in the syringe and on the needle and it is visible. Am I being paranoid over nothing?

As soon as a needle is used on a patient it is placed into a disposable sharps container and the vacutainer barrel is sterilzed before use on the next patient and syrginges are placed in a hazardous waste bag. No needle is used twice. This is common practice all over the world and there is little chance that you will catch anything from anything a medical professional uses.

Please understand that each needle is taken out of the package right before the blood draw, usually right in front of you. If you're still unsure, feel free to say "can I please see the needle in the package before you take it out?". All needles come from the manufacturer sealed individually. They usually have a sticker around the seal to show that it hasn't been broken. Another thing to notice - they always throw the needle away right after they use it on you. That's one of the first things you learn in phlebotomy - dispose of the needle quickly and safely. Actually, they are at a far greater risk of any disease than you are, they are handling a needle that does have blood on it. If something happens, they are at a far greater risk of contracting anything than the patient ever was. Hope this helps.

You are being paranoid! Good grief, why do you think that needles are used more than once? That big red box on the table is a disposal receptacle for used needles. The nurse or phlebotomist has boxes of new needles, all sizes, all sterile and all individually wrapped.
Back in 1942, needles were sterilized and used more than once, but this no longer happens unless you are an addict who shares needles.