1st HIV Patient

Today I performed bypass on my first patient that was known to have HIV/AIDS. It was very intimidating even though you're supposed to use universal precaution and conduct yourself throughout every case as if the patient is infected with such a disease. It was very interesting to notice the differences that everyone in the O.R. did because of the fact the patient was HIV positive. It was a good learning point in watching myself in how I payed more attention to what I was doing in handling blood, and knowing that I should use that type of precaution everyday. I found myself always using blunt tip needles, making sure that my glasses stayed on the whole time, making sure that I wore sterile gloves, and also not recapping any blood needles.

Phil Meyer