Ampule Question: Does this make sense?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have a question about withdrawing meds from an ampule.

I am being taught that a triangular-stance method to stabilize my hands because we are not able to touch the needle anywhere inside the ampule...not just the rim, but at all.

My question is: Why?

I understand that they are saying the rim is not sterile, but the inside of the ampule?

I'm using a sterile filter needle...the medicine is ALREADY touching the ampule sides...PLUS I will be changing my needle...I just don't see how touching the needle to the inside of the ampule could possibly be contaminating anything more than it already is... (and I'm not referring to avoiding touching just the rim)

when I watch videos on how to withdraw meds from ampules, everyone just casually inserts the needle and withdraws the med...they're not in some tripod position holding the needle super still so not to touch the ampule at all...it just seems so over-the-top to me.

Anyone else have to learn this way?

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

I would wager that it is because (not all facilities use filtered needles), is that if a needle change is not done, then the delicate lasering of the needle tip can somehow be compromised when performing an injection.

I do not think it is a contamination issue as everything inside the ampule should be sterile.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Yep, seems over the top to me.

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Specializes in Medical.

I've never heard of it - I agree that the ampoule interior's sterile. If it isn't, we've got bigger problems that drawing up technique!

Also, it's been discussed here before, but I've never used a filter needle for drawing up meds from an ampoule except for making up an iron infusion, and it seems as though the literature's divided on the topic.

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Specializes in Medical.
I would wager that it is because (not all facilities use filtered needles), is that if a needle change is not done, then the delicate lasering of the needle tip can somehow be compromised when performing an injection.
Hmm. Though we don't use filter needles we do always change the needle if the med's going to be given IM or SC - 18 or 9g for drawing up, 23g for IM, 25g for SC; using anything smaller than a 19g to draw up takes foreeeeeeeeever!
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Specializes in Med-Surg, Cardiac.

I never heard of not touching the inside of the ampule. We were taught to use a filter needle so we'd be changing the needle anyhow.

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Ya, I'm in nursing school (BSN) and if we touch the needle to the side of the ampule we fail the demonstration of that skill. And in clinical practice, we are told we would have to waist the med and start over??

I'm going to have to do it this way...but my mind fights with it all the way because it's illogical. The reason the state is "contamination"...I still don't know.

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Specializes in Emergency.

I agree, that sounds a bit intense. But I can see the point made for possibly damaging the tip I suppose... My bet is that they want it to be done absolutely perfectly in school and this is what their research has shown constitutes a perfect withdrawal...? Who knows.

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Specializes in AA&I, research,peds, radiation oncology.
Ya, I'm in nursing school (BSN) and if we touch the needle to the side of the ampule we fail the demonstration of that skill. And in clinical practice, we are told we would have to waist the med and start over??

I'm going to have to do it this way...but my mind fights with it all the way because it's illogical. The reason the state is "contamination"...I still don't know.

Hey, you've said it all!! You're in NURSING SCHOOL and they always teach us techniques that we sometimes never use in the "real world" :uhoh3: Don't worry about it, just git 'er done!! Good luck!!

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Nursing school = perfect world

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
Nursing school = perfect world

But even in nursing school, sounds like some of the instructors do not know what constitutes "contaminated"....because if they "claim" the sides of the ampule is contaminated, then the medication is too, considering it is swimming around in it.

To the OP...did they TELL YOU it was considered contaminated or did the instructors only say if you touch the inside of the ampule, you fail the demonstration???? There is a difference.

Because let me tell you what I see....a nurse opens an ampule and pushes the needle against the sides of the ampule in order to angle it better to draw up all of the medication...this can damage the needle...to me, that makes sense and another reason why you should change the needle.

Just make sure that you know WHY you cannot touch the sides...don't go by another student, ask the instructor.

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Specializes in CEN, CPEN, RN-BC.

Why is your institution using needles and not filter straws? The medical world is needle-less and your school is not conforming. They want you to stick yourself with a needle. Your school is evil.

Kidding, does anyone else use these instead of filter needles? I never saw them until I moved to the east side of PA.

http://www.wallcur.com/Products/Filter-Straw__1014FS.aspx

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