Brooklyn's 7th Grade Shots

Brooklyn hates getting shots and was not looking forward to her 7th Grade immunizations.  We told all the things parents tell their kids when shots are necessary.

• "It won't be so bad."
• "It will be over before you know it."
• "The needle is so small, you won't even feel it go in."
• "These shots are will help keep you well and safe."
• "You got shots all the time when you were a baby and only cried for seconds.  And see?  You survived!"
• "You can't go into the 7th Grade unless you get these shots."
• "Your little sister, Dakota, has to get shots all the time and she is so brave every time."
• "O.K. You'll get a treat after."

Unfortunately, none of these affirmations helped her.  She was practically already crying on the way over there and making herself sick in the waiting room in anticipation.

After we got in there, a nurse and a tech came in, each ready to take an arm to give the shots simultaneously so as to get it over and done with.  The tech gave one, I believe, and the nurse two.  Brooklyn giggle-cried through the whole thing.  And then she was done!  She was so proud of herself and realized that all the things we had been telling her were right.  No big deal, right?

Well...that should have been the end of it.

Brooklyn got her shots on Friday, April 15th at 1:30 p.m.  Friday night I noticed there was a call from someone I didn't recognize - FFP MANAGEMENT - at 6:28 p.m.  No message was left.

Saturday morning (April 16th) @ 10:52 a.m. we received a call from her NP Dallen Ormond.  He asked if I had time to talk with him about something very important.  I found a quiet spot to converse.
He proceeded to tell me that there was a problem with B's shots.  The technician scratched her finger with needle BEFORE giving B her shot in right arm.  After both shots were given by both the nurse and the technician, they walked out of room into the hall.  The tech took off her rubber glove and saw blood.  The nurse said, "Uh, what happened? Did you poke yourself?"  The tech said, "Yes." "Before of after you gave her the shot?"  "Before."  The nurse immediately got Dallen and told him what happened. 

Dallen said that they are taking this situation very seriously.  The technician's blood work is getting done to make sure nothing is out of the ordinary.  She no longer works in their office and tech college has been notified.  The results of her lab report will be on Monday.  We will be notified.  Brooklyn will have to go in and get tested, as well, if HIV or Hepatitis show up in tech's lab work.

Dallen went on to explain that the technician leads a clean life...single, not sexually active, no history of drug use.  Techs go through rigorous screenings before being placed in he field.  She passed.  He said she is a really, really good girl who made a really really dumb mistake and she feels absolutely horrible about it.

He also mentioned that we could go ahead and get Brooklyn tested now, but that would only show us if she had anything in her blood previous...an infections would not even show up in her blood until after the weekend.

Dallen then had to let us know that if in fact B does need care...she becomes top priority! All prophylactics needed will be covered, all hospital and doctor visits, all lab work, all tests, all care, etc. will be covered.  He said all that he needed to to cover their "you know whats".

I told him that I was not going to mention any of this to Brooklyn, yet.  He agreed that keeping this all from B now is good idea...don't put her through any extra stuff unless we have to.

Poor Brooklyn...here we were telling her that shots are good for her and that they would keep her safe.  Little did we know...

Wait and see until Monday!  YIKES!

As scary as this is for us, I feel so bad about the tech.  She must be devastated.  She lost her internship and most likely will not be able to work in the field again.  Her mistake cost her so much, even if her lab work is clean.  A lesson learned the hard way.

UPDATE:  The tech's lab reports were CLEAN.  No need to put Brooklyn through any more.  YAY!