Scoop Method Wrong??????

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone. I have a question. I'm wondering if I've been doing the "scoop method" wrong this whole time. Whenever I draw up a med with a syringe, I set the cap on the counter and once I've drawn up the med, I "scoop" up the cap with the needle. The part that I'm confused as to whether or not I've been doing it wrong is that I'm wondering if I'm suppose to set the edge of the cap on the counter and then "scoop" it up with the needle. Have I been contaminating my needles this whole time???????????? I feel absolutely horrible and am worried sick that I have been. We use needless ports to actually administer the meds, so I'm not using any part of the needle on the patient. Also, whenever I'm doing IM, I change out the needles anyway since it's been dulled after inserting it into a vial. Please help!

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The scoop method was used to prevent healthcare workers to prevent needle sticks from a contaminated needle. (one used on a pt.) There is no reason I can think of to use the scoop method for a clean unused needle. You can just stick the cap back on unless you don't trust yourself to aim well! Now we have all those cool devices to slide over the used needles. I really like the spring loaded ones on the Lovenox. :) No worries.

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I feel absolutely horrible and am worried sick that I have been.

Time to calm down and take a breath. If you think this through, there is nothing for you to feel horrible about. You use a needleless system, right? That means after you recap the needle you unscrew it and toss it it the sharps container. So what harm can come to the patient?

nola is correct. The scoop method was dangerous when nurses tried to recap the contaminated needles that had just been used to inject their patients. That's why the needle companies invented all the cool devices to make recapping not only unnecessary but impossible. With a clean needle there is no danger to you, just the pain of the stick. That's worth an ouch, but it shouldn't worry you sick.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I have always put the syringe lid in a med cup open end up and then recapped. It maintained sterility and kept the cap visable. I never liked the "scoop" my self.

http://www.occc.edu/NCCL/pdf/NeedleRecappingPolicy.pdf

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
I have always put the syringe lid in a med cup open end up and then recapped. It maintained sterility and kept the cap visable. I never liked the "scoop" my self.

http://www.occc.edu/NCCL/pdf/NeedleRecappingPolicy.pdf

That's a good idea and I think I'll steal it-I am forever loosing needle caps in the am when I am giving a half a dozen or more insulins in a limited time.They are stuck inside the MAR,under the MAR or rolling off the med cart....

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
That's a good idea and I think I'll steal it-I am forever loosing needle caps in the am when I am giving a half a dozen or more insulins in a limited time.They are stuck inside the MAR,under the MAR or rolling off the med cart....

Steal away......I stole it from a LPN many years ago....;)

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

The scoop method is only used to recap a contaminated needle, which you should never do any way. For clean needles, i just simply recap it - I don't use the scoop method. Every where I have worked needles are equipped with safety devices. For these:

a114.jpg

I take the syringe and push that safety device on a flat surface (such as a table or the side of the bed) instead of using my thumb to engage the safety device because that helps to reduce the chance of a needle stick. Other needles (such as butterflies and IVs) have buttons that retract the needle or have the ability to slide the needle down and lock to reduce the chance of a needle stick.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
The scoop method is only used to recap a contaminated needle, which you should never do any way. For clean needles, i just simply recap it - I don't use the scoop method. Every where I have worked needles are equipped with safety devices. For these:

a114.jpg

I take the syringe and push that safety device on a flat surface (such as a table or the side of the bed) instead of using my thumb to engage the safety device because that helps to reduce the chance of a needle stick. Other needles (such as butterflies and IVs) have buttons that retract the needle or have the ability to slide the needle down and lock to reduce the chance of a needle stick.

Unfortunately not all facilities purchase these expensive items especially in LTC......sad but true....:cool:

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