DD just pricked finger in box of used needles at Drs. office

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm so sorry your toddler got hurt enough to need an x-ray and then got into the sharps unit. I have an 18 month old and she's a thinker and she gets into things fast. Only now am I appreciating that the actually plots her approach well before she actually attempts something. So I understand how this could have happened very quickly and I'm very sorry for all of the worry and heart ache you and your family are going through right now.

I understand that sharps containers are designed a certain way for a reason, but I do believe that any medical center that sees children has a good reason to make sure children shouldn't get into them.

I love my husband, but I will also say that he isn't always as vigilant about watching our child as I can be. He doesn't spend as much time with her, so he doesn't appreciate her speed and destructive abilities.

[Anonymous]

This is the DH. Thanks for those who provided positive feedback for my DW. I'll describe my experience today so there is more clarity for those who wish to comment. The x-ray was presented on a computer screen on a computer desk. The nurse left the room and my DD and I were looking up at the computer screen at her fracture. As I was pointing to the screen she said 'ouch.' In the blink of an eye she had reached into a wide open box of sharps on the floor directly below the computer monitor in the area where the chair would normally be. The box was the size of a shoebox or smaller and the top was wide open. I could have fit my hand it in easily. Clearly this box belonged on the top of the desk and the top should have been closed. Needless to say I'm furious that this doctor's office could be so careless.

[Anonymous]

I'll acknowledge the office may not have been in violation of protocols but we can all be sure at least one meeting was had about this after hours and I bet they are tightening and alterning policy based on this. Doc was in panic mode. Things will change - maybe there should be different protocols for ped's offices.

It's good that OP is interested in pursuing this in terms of documenting it to different organizations (not because she wants to sue but because it's incidents like this that spurs better protocols).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the DH. Thanks for those who provided positive feedback for my DW. I'll describe my experience today so there is more clarity for those who wish to comment. The x-ray was presented on a computer screen on a computer desk. The nurse left the room and my DD and I were looking up at the computer screen at her fracture. As I was pointing to the screen she said 'ouch.' In the blink of an eye she had reached into a wide open box of sharps on the floor directly below the computer monitor in the area where the chair would normally be. The box was the size of a shoebox or smaller and the top was wide open. I could have fit my hand it in easily. Clearly this box belonged on the top of the desk and the top should have been closed. Needless to say I'm furious that this doctor's office could be so careless.

It definitely sounds like in this case the doctor's office was in violation. I've never been in an office where a box of dirty needles have been sitting in the floor. Something was wrong and protocol on needle disposal was not followed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, the box shouldn't have been on the floor... but where were YOU??

I think if this happened to my kid, I'd be kicking myself... not looking to sue. (I can only assume that is what you meant by "options")

Look asshole, I'm not looking to sue- I want to make sure all necessary agencies are informed of the violation. DH was in the room with DD and Dr. looking at the x-ray. The box of needles was right below the X-ray screen. He was looking at the x-ray and she bent down.

I only wish the world could be a perfect parent like you. There are clearly regulations for keeping such items out of the reach of children for a reason.

Just want to confirm that PP is a brainless piece of shit. Medical facilities use "sharps" containers. They don't leave a bunch of exposed, contaminated needles laying around. If they're that negligent, they deserve to be sued out of fucking existence.

I'm guessing PP is one of those tort-reform assholes who think that the courts should only be open and available to corporations. Fuck off.

[Anonymous]

OP is it your DH on here going off and cussing out the pp's. Get ahold of yourself. Get off DCUM if you cannot handle the discussion that your DW posted to begin with!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, your DH wasn't watching your child. And no, don't try that "it was only for a minute" crap. It took longer that that for her to find it and get her hand stuck in there because those boxes are not meant for someone to stick there hand in.

You should be pissed. At your DH. For begin so freakin careless. A doctor's office is not a playroom and there is no excuse for a 2 yr old to be out of reach or out of sight no matter what the hell he is looking at. T

I doubt the doctor's office legally is at fault.

I agree with this! Sorry, OP, but this is your DH's fault. You can be angry at him, but you don't have much to be angry about at the doctor.

Sorry this happened to your DC, and hope it all turns out okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is it your DH on here going off and cussing out the pp's. Get ahold of yourself. Get off DCUM if you cannot handle the discussion that your DW posted to begin with!

I don't care if it is the DW, DH, or someone else posting these comments, I wholeheartedly agree. I'm absolutely shocked that people are acting like a box of needles, open on the floor, of ANY medical facility much less a ped's office is acceptable and normal. This is NOT okay. I've never heard of this happening in my life and yet people seem to think, well, if you aren't careful, there is a good chance your child could get stabbed by a dirty needle. Uh, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the DH. Thanks for those who provided positive feedback for my DW. I'll describe my experience today so there is more clarity for those who wish to comment. The x-ray was presented on a computer screen on a computer desk. The nurse left the room and my DD and I were looking up at the computer screen at her fracture. As I was pointing to the screen she said 'ouch.' In the blink of an eye she had reached into a wide open box of sharps on the floor directly below the computer monitor in the area where the chair would normally be. The box was the size of a shoebox or smaller and the top was wide open. I could have fit my hand it in easily. Clearly this box belonged on the top of the desk and the top should have been closed. Needless to say I'm furious that this doctor's office could be so careless.

I like the 'Thanks for those who provided positive feedback' line. Everyone else can go f%#k themselves, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually sharps containers are "one way". Needles can go in, but can't be taken back out . Same with a hand. I would think she would have had her hand caught in there. Something isn't right.

My thoughts exactly. I've worked in many labs and have never seen a sharps box where you could reach in. The opening is narrow and slanted to allow the needle to slid in, but nothing else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The husband should have picked up and held onto the child if he did not feel like he was going to be able to watch the child and view the xray.

My God, you are such a stupid fucking piece of shit. The box top was left off. Why not plug your pie-hole if you don't know what you're talking about. All you do is embarrass yourself.


Umm, wow, if this is the DH. You need to calm down. You're mad at yourself, don't take it out on other people.

DH, what would you like the doctor's office to do? Do you want them to shut down? Do you want them to never use needles again?

Accidents happen. Sorry it happened to you, but cursing out random people on DCUM isn't going to fix anything.

[Anonymous]

PP, I'm sure you would be very calm if this happened to your child. Accidents happen; no big deal, right?

[Anonymous]

To the OP- sorry you are getting such bizarre feedback. Clearly there should never be an open box of used needles in any doctor's office. This is very concerning and I hope you ignore these people telling you to blame yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the DH. Thanks for those who provided positive feedback for my DW. I'll describe my experience today so there is more clarity for those who wish to comment. The x-ray was presented on a computer screen on a computer desk. The nurse left the room and my DD and I were looking up at the computer screen at her fracture. As I was pointing to the screen she said 'ouch.' In the blink of an eye she had reached into a wide open box of sharps on the floor directly below the computer monitor in the area where the chair would normally be. The box was the size of a shoebox or smaller and the top was wide open. I could have fit my hand it in easily. Clearly this box belonged on the top of the desk and the top should have been closed. Needless to say I'm furious that this doctor's office could be so careless.

Wow, I would be really upset at the doctor's office too. An open container of needles????? That's outrageous and I would say it's clearly the office's fault. I hope your daughter is ok and it isn't too traumatic of a process to verify that.

[Anonymous]

Ok look...we have NO CLUE what happened in reality. Sure they are upset I get it but no one other than DH and the doctor actually know what happened. So everyone assumed that DH had no fault and the doctor did or vice versa needs to chill out.

We were not there, we dont know and you know what DW might not even know exactly the situation.

I find it hard to believe that a box of used needles was lying on the ground open. I have never ever seen that at a doctors office. And if that was the case then sure, the doctor should be help responsible but WE DONT KNOW!