Recapping needles

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We were having a discussion about this in clinical today and I was hoping to get some input..

I know that you should never recap a needle, but are there instances which are unavoidable and it must be done? i.e. if you just gave an IM injection in the deltoid closest to the window in the room and would have to walk around the bed and to the other side of the room to get to a sharps container?

I know a lot of needles have safety devices that will cover the needle when done, but I'm talking about needles that do not have these devices.

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Do not ever recap a dirty needle. Ever. I did so once, the needle pierced the cap and then my finger.

If there is no safety device press the needle against something hard and bend it back THEN walk to the sharps container.

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We were taught never never never recap a dirty needle, no matter what. If you just gave a shot you immediately walk over and drop it in the sharps box, the only time you can potentially recap a needle is if it is never been used on someone and then only with the one handed technique.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

would never recap but if I had to I would make sure that there was no risk to myself so would try to re sheath without touching the sheath of the needle ie slip the needle into the sheath without touching the sheath. Would suggest if possible having a sharp bin nearer

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Specializes in LTC, med-surg.

I don't even recap clean needles, I make use of the syringe caps after drawing up meds.

Dirty needles definitely should never, ever, ever, ever be recapped! If the sharps container is too far from the pt's bed grab a small sharps bin (check iv trays or phlebotomy boxes). If those are not available then the employer must be asked to purchase 1: needles with safety glide, 2: more sharps bins or small sharps disposal!

Hope this helps.

Diana

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NEVER, EVER RECAP A DIRTY NEEDLE!! It can cost you your health. Also, the only time we have had a student fail out of our nursing program was when she recapped a dirty needle during clinicals. She was a straight A student, but she was failed automatically when she did that. She was not warned or written up, the instructor just failed her right there on the spot.

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Thank you all for your rapid responses to my question. I was not the student that did this, but as we were discussing this, it seemed that everybody had different opinions and I was hoping to get some outside opinions!

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Specializes in NICU.

I never recap needles. Just don't ever put yourself in that situation. If you are planning on giving the IM injection over by the window across from the sharps container ..... then think about what your'e going to do after you give it, when the needle is in your hand. Do like a previous poster said and take a portable sharps container with you, or figure out a way to get the needle taken care of safely. All of the needles on our unit have safety devices, so hopefully you won't run into this problem at all!

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, Nursery.

I'm guilty of recapping needles after I draw meds up. I normally don't in front of my instructor, but I do in front of Preceptors. I did just today after I drew up some med for an IV push. I don't EVER recap a dirty needle though...no way! I should really stop doing either.

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Specializes in NICU.

Why would you need to recap a med for an IV push? Are they not all needleless systems now?

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you can scoop up the cap using the needle it's self... just leave the cap sitting on the table near you so you don't have to touch it... then make sure that you don't push the cap on but it will at least be covered if you have to walk for a sharps container

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Specializes in ER, Med/Surg.
you can scoop up the cap using the needle it's self... just leave the cap sitting on the table near you so you don't have to touch it... then make sure that you don't push the cap on but it will at least be covered if you have to walk for a sharps container

^^^^^^^^

What they said. Then push the end of the cap against something hard, like the backsplash of the sink. This keeps the needle covered and your hands away from the needle. Remember to only use one hand.

If you are a little bit away from a sharps, hold the needle away from you and the patient (and anyone else in the room) while you walk to the sharps box.

My opinion.

Pat

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