OK, so I will just give the scenario. I just wanted to get some feedback without bias.
This has never occurred in 15 years. We have fairly small black baskets about 1/3 the size of a shoe box. Our MAs draw up the shots and mark what vaccine it is. They also add a two or three 2 x2 gauze pads, alcohol swipes and bandaids prepared for the injection site. Since, the bandaids generally need to be applied quickly after the vaccination to 1. cover the site so blood isn't seen, 2. to be done with the process, and 3. Most shots for kids up to age five are given in the lateral thigh, and the parent wants to pull the pants back up; the MAs want them ready.
It is therefore, not efficient to give the shots and then open the bandaids to put them on. The bandaids are removed from their paper enclosure, the strips are removed, and the tip of one of the ends are placed on the outside of the basket.
At this point, the MA is completely ready to give the shots. In pediatrics, you want everything ready to minimize the amount of time the child has to get worked up over the shots.
For years, the shot is given after the skin is cleaned with an alcohol wipe, any blood at the site is dabbed with the gauze (not sterile), and the bandaid is placed over the injection site. The ends do not touch the injection site.
I then received an anonymous letter five days later from the parent who was EXTREMELY upset at the use of a CONTAMINATED bandaid on the wound. She stated she would have stopped this when she saw it occurring, but she had "too much on her mind."
To be honest, I don't even know why we use bandaids, it's not like it bleeds heavily. The kids do like the cartoon bandaids, however.
In 18 years of practice, I have never seen a vaccine site get infected. A circular, erythematous and very warm reaction, yes. And, I have never seen an infection due to a contaminated bandaid.
Any thoughts? Willing to be corrected. And, OSHA does not require the use of gloves except under certain circumstances.
