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Shared in an interview
In December 2023, I was administering a long-acting injectable HIV medication to a patient with a needle that had a safety shield mechanism on it — the kind that you click onto the needle after using it to be sure the needle is covered. When I used my finger to click the guard into place, I somehow stuck myself on my index finger. I had done this same motion hundreds and hundreds of times, so I was quite shocked when it happened.
Luckily, we knew the patient well and he had recently been tested for Hepatitis B & C. Although he was living with HIV, he had an undetectable viral load.
I knew intellectually that needlestick injuries can happen to anyone, but I couldn’t help but feel like I had failed or done something wrong. As someone who has administered hundreds of injections safely, it was incredibly humbling and shook my confidence in a way I didn’t expect. This experience reminded me that even experienced professionals are still human, and that we need to create space in medicine to talk about these moments openly, without shame — which is why I made the viral TikTok video.
Follow the recommended protocols for post-exposure treatment — your health and safety come first. It’s easy to spiral into guilt or self-blame, especially if you’re experienced and feel like this “shouldn’t have happened,” but the truth is, accidents can happen to anyone in healthcare.
Even in a busy clinical setting, it’s important to slow down and stay fully present during procedures involving sharps. For experienced providers, it can be easy to go on autopilot, especially with routine tasks like injections, but that’s often when accidents happen.
Using safety-engineered devices, proper disposal practices, and making sure sharps containers are easily accessible and not overfilled are all key.
You’re not alone, and it doesn’t make you any less competent or professional.