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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be annoyed and upset that the nurse vaccinating my DS today scratched him deeply with the needle!

25 replies

tryingtobemarypoppins · 23/02/2009 21:47

He has a horrible gash on his little leg, needed a large plaster and is really angry looking this evening.

OP posts:
Nabster · 23/02/2009 21:47

is it a rash?

Original poster
tryingtobemarypoppins · 23/02/2009 21:51

A rash? No it bleed everywhere!

OP posts:
Sidge · 23/02/2009 21:51

How old is he? Was he wriggling?

Poor thing, at least they heal quickly when they're little.

Original poster
tryingtobemarypoppins · 23/02/2009 21:53

Well thats the thing, he wasn't wriggling. She looked 50 ish. I held his arms as she asked. I think I would have been better holding his leg!

And I have to pay for the jab!

OP posts:
Nabster · 23/02/2009 21:56

if a rash does develop at the injection site get him to a doctor

was it eltham by any chance?

Sidge · 23/02/2009 21:57

Even worse that you had to pay for it! Where are you, why did you have to pay? (and I wrote how old is he, not she LOL)

FairLadyRantALot · 23/02/2009 21:57

sorry to hear it!

can I ask how it happened...I mean...it seems to be a rather careless thing to happen

Original poster
tryingtobemarypoppins · 23/02/2009 22:03

Well I am ashamed to say that as I was holding him tight I had my eyes shut! He did the usual yelp! then cried and she said "oh I am sorry, his leg moved, I'll get a plaster". I was rather shocked when I opened my eyes.

It was just a routine jab nothing special.

OP posts:
Nabster · 23/02/2009 22:03

yes, they always say the child moved

Original poster
tryingtobemarypoppins · 23/02/2009 22:04

eltham as in London??? No

OP posts:
Original poster
tryingtobemarypoppins · 23/02/2009 22:04

Will it scar do you think?

OP posts:
Sidge · 23/02/2009 22:05

It does happen. Vaccinating babies and toddlers is bloody awful, and when they jump if their legs aren't being held firmly they can get scratched.

Sidge · 23/02/2009 22:06

No I doubt it will scar. I imagine it's fairly superficial which will have bled a bit but shouldn't scar.

FairLadyRantALot · 23/02/2009 22:08

well...if he moved you would have felt it....

if he did move, then it is, sadly, one of those things that can happen...

I assume it isn't a deep slash, so, doubt it will leave a obvious scar...once it is healed up it will soon fade...

used2bthin · 23/02/2009 22:08

Sorry to hear this happened, I am not a nurse but have to give my DD injections sometimes and have scratched her badly a few times and a few times the needle has slipped in a couple of times while she has struggled. It is really hard when they wriggle.

Original poster
tryingtobemarypoppins · 23/02/2009 22:12

To be honest the whole thing was a nighmare! They were 45 mins late, the receptionist was terrible and kept confusing DS with a 20 year old with the same name, DS was hungry etc etc etc

OP posts:
MadamDeathstare · 24/02/2009 04:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

poopscoop · 24/02/2009 06:11

You use the word 'gash' meeaning that the skin was 'cut open' . Do you mean a scratch as if you have got your self caught in brambles, which hurt and draw blood rather than cut open.

If cut open I would certainly complain. If deep scratch, well, unfortunate though it is, it is very common when a child moves.

Hope he is ok today,

higgle · 24/02/2009 07:27

Surely this nurse should have waited and invited you to calm your DS down and get him settled if he was wriggly or distraught - put in a written complaint - you will feel better and she will think twice before treating a patient in such an off hand manner in future.

unfitmother · 24/02/2009 07:57

Sorry, but YABU, next time keep your eyes open.
Hope he's OK.

rubyslippers · 24/02/2009 08:00

it was an accident

it must be really hard vaccinating wiggly babies - i wouldn't fancy doing it

FWIW, i got scratched by a needle when DS was being vaccinated - it just happens

hope your DS is ok

Pheebe · 24/02/2009 08:14

I'd have happily settled for a scratch. DS2 collapsed with a reflex anoxic seizure completely unavoidable and no ones fault

YABU

hippipotamiHasLostFourPounds · 24/02/2009 08:16

Oh fgs it was an accident. These things happen.
Higgle - the OP had her eyes closed and was holding her child. At no point did she say the nurse was trying to vaccinate a wriggeling child.
Unfortunately children jerk and move, very suddenly without any prior warning.
Don't put in a complaint about something so minor, this country does not have enough nurses as it is.
If the wound is a deep gash, then yes, but for a superficial scratch, it was an accident, accidents happen.
And she apologised adn fetched a plaster. So I can not see any evidence of offhand manner??

LucyEllensmummy · 24/02/2009 08:19

tbh i would have been more angry about them being late than anything else. I wonder actually if you hadnt had such a shit time waiting if you would have felt so cross. Of course its pants but actually it would have been an accident. These things happen. I had more of a problem with a nurse who jabbed the bloody needle so hard into DDs arm once, absolutely no need - i was a vet nurse and pretty much know that you don't need to stab when giving injections. Unless its a horse!! lol

hippipotamiHasLostFourPounds · 24/02/2009 08:19

Sorry, just re-read my post.
The fgs was aimed at the suggestion you should complain, not at OP being upset.

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