Insulin tips for no bubbles in syringe

[princess pickles]

Hi all,

I need some help. I have tried every trick I have been told of. I am having trouble keeping bubbles out of the syringe. As soon as you start to draw insulin into the syringe there is a divit of air that is at the top of the space. When I try to get rid of it, the insulin goes around the air and leaves the bubble. Grrr. Flicking the syringe helps to move small bubbles up and I have tried pulling a little extra so I can remove the air after syringe is removed from the bottle. The insulin goes around the bubble still. Grrrr. There must be a way to do this.... It is very frustrating! I have a very nervous patient that does not like any bubbles regardless if they are tiny. Please any help would be appreciated .

[psalm51]

Read this solution to the problem of air bubbles in the insulin syringe back in the early 90's. the author reported that blind diabetics used a home made syringe guide for drawing up the correct dose of insulin. And, to eliminate bubbles in the syringe, they would first draw up an insulin dose larger than needed into their syringe x 2 -- and then on the 3rd draw, they would draw the exact dose needed. apparently, this coats the inside of the syringe with insulin and thus bubbles don't stick to the side.

been using this method for years and it works!

[9livesRN, BSN, RN]

Some people measure the air they put in, some don't put any air in, so to make up for that and add positive pressure to the vial I add the whole syringe worth of air in to the vial, pull way more then I need, and push to release unwanted insulin, leaving me with no bubbles and adding pressure to make up for those who don't.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I harpoon myself multiple times daily. Before removing the syringe from the vial, I draw back at least 10 extra units, then move the needle so it's drawing up air and withdraw another 10 units of air.....then flick the bubbles, and adjust the amount to the proper dose. I seldom have air 'problems'. And if there is a 1/100 cc bubble in there, it's not going to do anything.

Obviously, this is only for injections with one type of insulin. :)

[Trekfan]

Tap,tap ,tap

[belgarion]

I was giving my wife insulin for twenty-five years before I became a nurse. I agree with those who say inject the air, draw a little insulin into the syringe and shove it back in hard. Then draw a little more than called for and push the extra along with the bubble back into the vial. As others have pointed out, this doesn't work when mixing but I have noticed over the years that the bubbles don't seem to be as prevalent on the second draw as on the first. At least that's been my experience.

[princess pickles]

Thanks for all the input. I will try some of the advice given. Thanks All Nurses!!