Clean stick needle change

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Recently I saw a coworker accidentally stick themselves with a clean needle. They replaced the needle with a new one and got ready to inject a vaccine. They told me it was standard to replace the needle but not the syringe. Does anyone have literature or know a site that would agree with this? Or know if this is true i cant find the situation on any websites ive seen. Thanks for your time, and no they didnt stick with it since i was concerned

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Why would you not, only change the needle?

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Specializes in Oncology.
Why would you not, only change the needle?

Because if you stuck yourself theoretically any contaminates could make their way through the needle to the syringe barrel, into the medication. It's the same reason insulin pens are for single patient use only. The whole thing should have been discarded.

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Blood doesn't crawl. Unless you pull the plunger back? Or I suppose if the fluid was already in the needle. Most flue vaccines I've seen have a bubble of air in the syringe. I don't see how it could be contaminated it that was still in the syringe.

Ive never read any guidelines on this. Perhaps I'm wrong.

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Specializes in ICU.

I've never stuck myself, but if it was just the needle, why would you replace the whole thing, med and syringe? The needle or blunt is separate from the syringe.

I guess I would have to witness the stick.

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To clarify the needle was attached to the syringe and it was prefilled. I agree that the whole thing should be discarded. I just like to be informed when i disagree with someone. Thanks for commenting

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To clarify the needle was attached to the syringe and it was prefilled. I agree that the whole thing should be discarded. I just like to be informed when i disagree with someone. Thanks for commenting

Who are you agreeing with? I don't see anyone that thinks the vacinne should have been discarded. Unless the air was already out of the tube? Then I agree it probably should have been discarded.

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Specializes in Emergency.

If the needle was attached to the barrel the whole thing should have been discarded. The possibility for blood to enter the barrel is there. I would clarify with your local infection control people - I would be extremely surprised if they said only the needle needed to be discarded

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Specializes in Oncology.
Blood doesn't crawl. Unless you pull the plunger back? Or I suppose if the fluid was already in the needle. Most flue vaccines I've seen have a bubble of air in the syringe. I don't see how it could be contaminated it that was still in the syringe.

Ive never read any guidelines on this. Perhaps I'm wrong.

If blood can't move, then IV tubing should be completely shareable amongst patients by your reasoning.

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The OP has asked for official sources which address this issue, not opinions; I assume he wants this in order to address this with providers in the future. I spent five minutes looking for it, but was unsuccessful. Maybe someone else will have better luck.

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Specializes in Oncology.

https://www.aana.com/resources2/professionalpractice/Documents/PPM%20Safe%20Injection%20Guidelines%20for%20Needle%20and%20Syringe%20Use.pdf

The first bold point- "Never administer medications from

the same syringe to multiple patients, even if the needle has been changed." The nurse may not be a patient, but they're a person who was stuck with the needle.

http://www.nso.com/Documents/RiskEducation/Businesses/NSO_Special_Edition_Risk_AdvisorBO_Syringe_Reuse_webready.pdf

"Staff membersmust be apprised that reuse of syringes ondifferent patients or residents is notpermissible. Explain that even with the use ofneedleless systems and luer-fitted IV infusionports, blood-borne pathogens maycontaminate a syringe if backflow occurs. "

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Specializes in Oncology.

The CDC even has a position on this.

A Patient Safety Threat – Syringe Reuse

| Injection Safety | CDC

"Healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, and anyone providing injections) should never reuse a needle or syringeeither from one patient to another or to withdraw medicine from a vial. Both needle and syringe must be discarded once they have been used. It is not safe to change the needle and reuse the syringe - this practice can transmit disease."

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