Concerns About Bloodborne Disease Transmission During Blood Draws

During blood draw, healthcare personnel directly touch the bleeding wound?

Today, I went to the hospital for a blood draw to perform a glucose tolerance test, which required four blood draws within two hours.
However, during the fourth blood draw, when the healthcare worker removed the cotton ball from the third draw, the puncture site from the third draw started bleeding again.
The healthcare worker seemed to press on the inner elbow area to confirm the venipuncture site, inadvertently touching the area where I was still bleeding, which resulted in a small smear of blood.
After a couple of minutes of discussion with another staff member, they resumed the blood draw, and again pressed on the venipuncture area, touching the still-bleeding site.
They then wiped the area that had not yet been punctured with an alcohol swab but did not clean the puncture sites from the previous three draws until the blood draw was completed and the cotton was reapplied.
The blood from the third draw had not completely dried, and the smear was still visible.
I would like to know if it is possible to contract any diseases (such as HIV or hepatitis) if the healthcare worker had blood from a previous patient on their hands that had not completely dried and then touched my still-bleeding puncture site.
Thank you.

Jeff Lu, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/01/24

Dr. Hong Yuanbin reply Internal Medicine

Hello, based on your description, typically after drawing blood from a patient, healthcare personnel will disinfect their hands with alcohol before drawing from the next patient, so it should not lead to the transmission of infectious diseases.
Thank you for your question.

Reply Date: 2022/01/24

More Info

When it comes to concerns about bloodborne disease transmission during blood draws, it is essential to understand the protocols and risks involved in such procedures. Bloodborne pathogens, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, can be transmitted through direct contact with infected blood. However, the risk of transmission in a clinical setting, especially when proper protocols are followed, is generally low.

In your situation, several factors need to be considered. First, healthcare professionals are trained to follow strict infection control practices to minimize the risk of cross-contamination and transmission of infections. This includes using gloves, proper disposal of sharps, and sanitizing the skin before and after blood draws. The fact that the healthcare worker was wearing gloves is a positive sign, as it provides a barrier against potential pathogens.

However, your concern arises from the sequence of events during your blood draw. If the healthcare worker inadvertently touched your bleeding site with gloves that had come into contact with blood from a previous patient, there is a theoretical risk of transmission. Yet, several factors mitigate this risk:
1. Time Factor: Bloodborne viruses like HIV and hepatitis have varying survival times outside the human body. HIV, for example, does not survive long outside a human host and is not typically transmissible through dried blood. Hepatitis B and C can survive longer, but the risk of transmission decreases significantly as the blood dries.

2. Volume of Blood: The amount of blood that may have been transferred from the glove to your site is likely minimal. Transmission typically requires a significant amount of infected blood to enter the bloodstream.

3. Infection Control Protocols: Healthcare facilities are required to adhere to strict infection control protocols. If the healthcare worker followed proper procedures, the risk of transmission would be further reduced.

4. Immediate Action: If the healthcare worker noticed the bleeding and applied pressure, this action would help minimize the risk of blood exposure to the environment and reduce the chance of any potential pathogens entering your bloodstream.

While the theoretical risk exists, it is essential to keep in mind that the actual risk of contracting a bloodborne disease in this scenario is very low, especially if the healthcare facility follows standard precautions. If you are still concerned about potential exposure, it would be prudent to discuss your worries with your healthcare provider. They may recommend testing for peace of mind, especially if you experience any symptoms or have additional concerns.

In summary, while your concerns are valid, the risk of transmission of bloodborne diseases in a controlled clinical environment, especially when proper protocols are followed, is minimal. If you have ongoing worries, consulting with a healthcare professional for further evaluation and testing can provide reassurance and clarity.

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