Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 1/12/2009

Question
Hi Kristen,

Thanks so much for the great job that you are doing.
I am writing to you from Canada. Few days ago we had to take our 3 months old baby to the hospital and the doctor asked for some blood work, since the baby was non-stop crying, the nurses asked us to leave the room so we don't react when we see them sticking the IV needle in her hand, after 5-10 mins they came out and they said it is ok now to come in, I saw the IV in her hand and some blood covering her little fingers.
Now I am very worried to the point that I can't sleep because of the thoughts that the needle they used might stuck one of them before they were able to get the IV in, since the baby was uncontrolably crying and moving, I just can't function normaly with the thoughts that the baby got infected that way.
Is there anything that I can do at this point? Please help.

Worried dad.

Answer
Hi Worried Dad,

I am a new parent myself (7 month old son) so I can understand your worry over your little one.

More than likely the blood you saw on her fingers was her own blood from the needle/IV stick.

However, rest assured that if the a needle did in fact stick one of the nurses, they would not have used it on your daughter. In any case, if anything happened that would have put your daughter's health at risk, you would have been notified.

Please dont spend your time worrying about this.