Filter needles...are they necessary?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Pulmonary med/surg/telemetry.

I'm about to graduate in 2 months and I know there are things that are different in the real world than "textbook." I see nurses on the floor do so many things differently than what I'm taught and lately I've been struggling with figuring out which things are okay to do a different way and which are just nurses taking unsafe shortcuts. One of my issues lately is the use of filter needles. I always use filter needles when administering meds from ampules. Nurses will kind of snicker and make comments about me using them because I'm a student. Do you use them? I was taught that shards of glass can be injected into the vein if the filter needles aren't used. Is this true or is this just in theory and the filter needles aren't actually necessary?

Also, if you have time...can you mention some things off the top of your head that really are okay to do differently than what is taught textbook.

Thanks.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

ALWAYS use a filter needle. Why take the risk?

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As far as I know...filter needles are relatively new, which begs the question, are they really necessary? In my opinion, if they stop me from injecting glass into just one person then sure, they are worth it. Just remember to switch the needle before you inject.

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Specializes in Pulmonary med/surg/telemetry.

I thought the same thing, but once I realized that absolutely NO nurses on the floor that I was on use them I wanted to check. It's one thing for a few nurses here and there to take shortcuts but it really made me wonder when no one was doing it.

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The filter needles are there for a reason. Whether you or anyone else uses them is your on prerogative...although I suspect there is probably a policy in place.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

If others want to risk injecting glass into their patients... what ever. I wouldn't use anything but a filter needle first.

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Hi, had to laugh. About 6 weeks ago I posted the same question. I've been a nurse 28 years!!!!!

One responder mentioned an article in Journal of Advanced Nursing 2004, 48-(3); 266-270. Another had worked as a pharmacy tech and they always used filter needles. Some had never heard of filter needles, but everyone else said yes of course, always use them.

I asked my question because I am sometimes in OR's and access anesthesia carts for syringes, needles, etc., and they don't even stock filter needles on their carts????? Also I see co-workers with many years experience not using filter needles.

I love your second question. I will have to think about that one.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

Always use a filter needle when drawing up meds from an ampules. Then change to a regular needle before giving the med. Do not ever take a shortcut that could compromise your pts safety. Let the other nurses laugh at least you are doing everything you can to ensure your pt safety. This small step takes maybe 2 seconds and is not much of a time saver anyway.

You might want to bring the situation up to the NM because there may be a need for education on an important safety isssue.

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Specializes in Trauma, Burn, Crticial Care.

Yes - always a filter needle when drawing from ampules. My doc's do as well....

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.
As far as I know...filter needles are relatively new, which begs the question, are they really necessary? In my opinion, if they stop me from injecting glass into just one person then sure, they are worth it. Just remember to switch the needle before you inject.

Not sure what you mean by "new," as I've been using them for at least 10 years. Yes, I agree, they are necessary for drawing up meds from ampules.

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I would suggest using them. Be influenced by protocol ,policy and patient outcome, not shortcuts or snickering coworkers.

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I'd say it depends on policy. Since the risk of injecting glass into a patient is about 1 in a billion, no one, not even the docs, uses them in the ER I work in. Occasionally we get a newbie who wants to use them, but what I've observed is the nurse who is over-the-top anal about some insignificant thing is lacking in the important skills such as EKG interpretation, pain management, assessment skills, etc. - there are many more important things to concentrate on. So in the big picture, NO, I don't think filter needles are necessary.

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