Giving injections question....

[AprilRNurse]

The other day when I got my flu vaccine I asked the nurse to please draw it up with a separate needle and she looked at me like I was crazy. The other 3 nurses sitting with us had never heard of it either. We were taught that if you draw up meds with a diff needle that you admin with- it keeps the needle sharper and less painful. In my 3 years as a nurse- I always do this. (except tuberculin and insulin needles- as there isn't an option)

So- thoughts? Do you change needles? Have you really never heard of this? I was told I was wasting resources.

[Asystole RN]

Never heard of this.

Sounds expensive and a waste of resources.

I have found that painless injections are 90% technique, 10% materials.

[OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN]

Absolutley was taught that and do it every time. If drawing up from a glass ampule, then I use a filtered draw needle and then change it to an appropriate sized needle for the injection.

If drawing from a rubber topped vial, I use either a non filtered draw needle or an extra regular needle and then change it an appropriate size and gauge for the injection.

I thought it was common practice as well?

[AprilRNurse]

Never heard of this.

Sounds expensive and a waste of resources.

I have found that painless injections are 90% technique, 10% materials.

See, this confuses me. Injections are pretty much the easiest thing we do as nurses in my opinion. There's not much to technique with poke, inject, remove. However, I always change the needle, and almost every injection I've ever given the patient comments on how well it went, how little pain, etc... Because I do nothing special- I think it's because of the needle.

[AprilRNurse]

Absolutley was taught that and do it every time. If drawing up from a glass ampule, then I use a filtered draw needle and then change it to an appropriate sized needle for the injection.

If drawing from a rubber topped vial, I use either a non filtered draw needle or an extra regular needle and then change it an appropriate size and gauge for the injection.

I thought it was common practice as well?

I figured an occasional nurse either forgot, or didn't bother. I was shocked to find that I was the odd one though with this practice. I don't plan on changing it- unless I get a memo stating it isn't hospital policy.

We use tuberculin syringes to give sub q heparin, and hate not changing the needle. I swear I can feel it go in differently- it just doesn't feel as sharp to me.

[OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN]

I figured an occasional nurse either forgot, or didn't bother. I was shocked to find that I was the odd one though with this practice. I don't plan on changing it- unless I get a memo stating it isn't hospital policy.

We use tuberculin syringes to give sub q heparin, and hate not changing the needle. I swear I can feel it go in differently- it just doesn't feel as sharp to me.

Yes, this one and when giving insulin from a vial. (I havn't done this in ages and almost always use an insulin pen now)

[Asystole RN]

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/27/2/617.long

[kids]

Twenty years ago...I was not taught to change the needle.

They are made from hardened steel and it requires more than penetrating a rubber stopper once to dull them.

[wishiwereanurse, BSN, RN]

in nursing, needles are pretty much like minds...you'd want them as sharp as possible...

[DCtraumarn]

I wasn't taught to switch needles unless of course it was a filter needle.

Hmmm....but I rarely give IM injections so may be out out touch.

[kesr]

I remember being taught this, too. Was also told the drug left on the needle could irritate. Draw it up with the largest needle you can use, I like the idea of using a filter needle, then give with the smallest possible needle. It's been an eon since I gave an IM, but I would change the needle.

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

I have given 50 flu shots to employees this week. Never once changed a needle (never heard of doing this). At least 75% made a specific comment on how painless their injection was. All in the technique.