Is it absolutly neccasry to swap out the needle after I draw it?

[bjware]

I would like to see factual data that say's I need to swap out my needles after I've drawn them. If any one can point me in the proper direction for this information I would greatly appreciate it. My office staff is divided on this issue and I've become annoyed with the indecisiveness surrounding the issue.

Thanks

BJW

[tiggerforhim]

There is also the issue of tiny bits of broken glass falling into the medication when using ampules.......you certainly don't want to inject that into someone, whether IM or IV.

Personally, I always change the needle after drawing up IM meds, plus I wait for the alcohol to dry on the skin before injecting. Both actions prevent the tracking of irritating substances through the tissues, which can greatly reduce discomfort at the injection site. (I know the vast majority of my patients appreciate it, anyway. :) )

I'm sorry if I missed something, but it sounds like you are saying that you don't use a filter needle to get something out of an ampoule? Is that right?

[Darlene K.]

I was taught the following

1. Change my needle after drawing up medication.

2. Always use a filter needle when drawing from an ampule.

If you don't change your needle it can be dull or medications such as phenergan (if you stuck your needle in it) can harm the skin and the sub q as it passes thru.

Insulin is the only medication that I don't change my needle, because I can't.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

I hurt my first subQ heparin patient too. He pulled away while the needle was still in and I felt it dragging out of his skin. I felt awful...

[fluffwad]

My facility uses a brand of syringes where the needles cannot be removed. I was not taught to change needles......I was taught to use ' a smooth darting motion' and I can give IM and SQ injections that are hardly felt. In 22 yrs have only had an injection bounce once.

It makes me NUTS to watch some one insert the needle slowly.

[hrtprncss]

Personally to lessen the pain during an IM injection....I pinch the muscle a few times for a few seconds...of course telling the patient you're going to pinch them. Anyways after a few pinches, the sensation will be a bit numbed(actually ok not numb but a bit of pain from the pinch) from the needle poke. I've read it somewhere before a long time ago....And it has worked for me....Alot of patient say ''I didn't feel it much going in''. If you ever need a shot given to urself, ask the nurse to do that and see if there's any difference.

[Todd SPN]

Personally, I hate injections so I like them to be as painless as possible. Especially on children. One of the first IMs I did was rocephin. I drew up the lido, put it in the AB shook it up then drew it up in the syringe. Not changing the needle (I forgot), it literally bounced off the buttocks when I went to inject. I did have to push harder than normal to get the syringe in. I felt bad, but the pt was actively dying and did not notice. Changing the needle only takes a second and if it means more comfort I'm all for it. On a diabetic needle, the diameter is so small it doesn't matter.

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

This depends on who you work for. When we do flu clinics they tell me not to change the needle, cost too much. Most of the time I change the needle however, the needle is not going to get that dull just fom going into the rubber of the vile, I have given plenty of shots without changing the needle and the patients tells me it did not hurt at all. I think it is the medication, if anything, that hurts during an injection. Expecially Phenergan, but if you go slow and have proper skills it should not hurt much if not at all. (of course unless it is a child...you have to spell S-H-O-T or they start screaming) Other than changing a filter needle, which has to be changed to inject anyway (at least ours do, the medication will foam up if you try to push it out.)