Using butterflies with metal needles

[wizeone7]

Is there a standard that says you cannot do a short (+/- 2 hour) infusion with a Butterfly that has a metal needle rather than a catheter? Another nurse told me this is an OSHA breach. Does anyone know?

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

here is the deal on this one. OSHA states that if an alternative to a needle or an enginnered sharp is available it must be used. An IV catheter is a safe and proven alternative to a steel butterfly and reduces the risk of bloodborne pathogen and disease transmission. So in other words, you should not be using it...except for its intened purpose which is for blood sampling and it should be a safety or enginered sharp. Even if you leave a steel butterfly in for a short amount of time there is still a risk to healthcare workers....if that gets pulled out for any reason...the risk is there for someone to poke themselves and the risk for transmission of pathogens and blood is greater with a hollow bore needle....b/c you essentially can innoculate yourself....YUCK!!!! Why not just use a 24 or 22 gauge intima or introcan or insyte or whatever......you still ahve to poke the patient...right? In some states like California the regulations even go further and are very strict.