filter needles

[HSRN]

Are there nurses out there that do not use filter needles because it is not available in their practice setting, other reasons?

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

Are there nurses out there that do not use filter needles because it is not available in their practice setting, other reasons?

I would never give an IV med from a glass ampule without one. Do a search on filter needles and glass particles--1000s of particles. I have always had a FN available. If you find an article present it to the powers that be.

[MeryMellen]

I work in an ER that does not have filtered needles. I find this to be a big issue, one of the medications that we give a ton of is Phenergan. Many of the RNs where I work are not educated about the damage that Phenergan can cause to the vein (perhaps because they do not see the damage they've done because the pts are long gone by the time a phlebitis develops) But I've seen many many patients that are "frequent flyers" for N/V come back with hardened veins probably because they got Phenergan their last time around. I wonder if a large part of the phlebitis' that I see return are mechanical phlebitis' from the shards of glass?

[dauschundlover]

If glass ampules are utilized filter needles should be supplied. This is a standard of practice and you should probably ask someone in the pharmacy what they do.

[MSN Student]

I too have wondered about this. My unit doesn't have filter needles and I hate to give meds from an ampule without one. My pharmacy said they don't have them.

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

Are you serious? Ouch!

[crb613, BSN, RN]

I have never seen one at my hospital. I asked about this & was told that is what the filter on the IV line is for. Bad idea as far as I am concerned......what if the IV is SL!

[ceen]

None at our hospital either (I have seen one on the epidural tray).

[shadowflightnurse]

I too have worked at multiple hospitals that do not stock filter needles. The hospital where I currently work has pretty much gotten away from meds in ampules, but should still have filter needles available.

[Mimi2RN, ASN, RN]

We have filter needles, which traditionally are used for drawing meds from ampules. Unfortunately, a student nurse used one of our plastic "needles" used for IV tubing to spike a vial. She was surprised to see rubber from the stopper in the vial (she didn't use the correct one with the harpoon). Next thing we knew, an edict was given to use filter needles for vials!!!! I much prefer a good sharp needle (which I still use). Wouldn't it have been much better to educate the student on the PROPER use of equipment? :smackingf

[augigi, CNS]

I have never used one in my life (Australia).

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

I was a traveler in a dialysis unit which had no filter needles. 18g needles were used to draw up the Ferrlicet from the ampules. This practice always really bothered me.