Using Ampules w/o filter needles

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I work for a company that does not supply filter needles to be used with the epi ampule in the emergency kit.

Is this ok?

In nursing school I was told to never use ampules unless I had a filter needle. What do you think?

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I have asked other nurses if they use filter needles when drawing up medications from an ampule and everytime i get a blank stare asking me what a filter needle is! When I explain that this is what I have heard is the correct way to draw up meds, every single person has told me they have never even seen a filter needle before (and this has been on a few different floors)...so I have never drawn it up with a filter needle

Anyone has different experiences?

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I have asked other nurses if they use filter needles when drawing up medications from an ampule and everytime i get a blank stare asking me what a filter needle is! When I explain that this is what I have heard is the correct way to draw up meds, every single person has told me they have never even seen a filter needle before (and this has been on a few different floors)...so I have never drawn it up with a filter needle

Anyone has different experiences?

In school if a student were to draw up an ampule med without a filter needle that action would have been considered a "critical error" resulting in being thrown out of the program.

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I also work for a facility that does not supply filter needles. I think this is a liability for nurses and it is dangerous to the patients. I have mentioned this to my nursing supervisor and she doesn't seem as though it is a big deal. I have to deal with this kind of stuff a lot at my office and it is really annoying. Good thing I am working my 2wk notice huh.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I've drawn up injectable medications from ampules without having ever used a filter needle. I was taught to do so without the use of a filter needle. In fact, I had never even heard of a filter needle until I stumbled upon this thread. I suppose that each new day brings a unique learning experience!

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

We were taught in NS to always use a filter needle with an ampule, to avoid drawing up any glass shards with the medication. It is rare that I use an ampule, but when I do, I use a filter needle to draw up the med.

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Specializes in ER.

I use ampules every day and ALWAYS use a filter needle. I can't believe anyone would do this without a filter needle.

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Specializes in ER, ICU cath lab, remote med.

14 +/- years ago, I was taught to use filter needles with glass ampules. But things change. Occasionally, I run into someone who has never been taught to use them. I did a quick search and found this...

http://classic.aacn.org/aacn/practice.nsf/a40dd285cb9efd8e8825669e00031e21/69d2c30ba9fa866c88256754006d7cde?OpenDocument

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Specializes in office&hospital(med-surg).

I was taught to always use a filter needle. Unfortunately with cutbacks in hospitals, this is where it hits.....But I do not think it is safe and I do believe it is a liability. It only takes one time.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Critical Care.

I was concerned about this and asked the charge nurse when I had to use an ampule, and I found out the normal needles we use to draw up most things were filtered needles. They don't come in a package in the supply room so I didn't realize it. So you might want to ask, you might already be using them.

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Specializes in ER.
I was taught to always use a filter needle. Unfortunately with cutbacks in hospitals, this is where it hits.....But I do not think it is safe and I do believe it is a liability. It only takes one time.

I agree with you but how much can a single filter needle cost? Also if the OP only has an emergency drug in an amp, why not just buy a box of filter needles? Sounds like they wouldn't get used much.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.
i have asked other nurses if they use filter needles when drawing up medications from an ampule and everytime i get a blank stare asking me what a filter needle is!
exactly! what the hell is a filter-needle? evidently not really needed, right? (gotta use your "critical thinking" skills on this one)

in school if a student were to draw up an ampule med without a filter needle that action would have been considered a "critical error" resulting in being thrown out of the program.
wow! what really short-sightedness of your nursing program. did anyone pass under those incredible draconian standards?

i also work for a facility that does not supply filter needles. i think this is a liability for nurses and it is dangerous to the patients. i have mentioned this to my nursing supervisor and she doesn't seem as though it is a big deal. i have to deal with this kind of stuff a lot at my office and it is really annoying. good thing i am working my 2wk notice huh.
quitting your job over filter-needles??? allrighty-then. go with what makes you sleep well @ night.

please...oh please give us statistics about all the safety problems caused due to the lack of filter needles. inquiring minds want to know.

all you students out there... the latest and greatest huh?

amazing how many decades ampules have been used without those critical filter needles being used.

there must be people dying all over the world because of micro-glass filaments suspended in billions of iv medicine administrations using ampules.

certainly go with what you feel is comfortable to you. after all. it's your license and the safety of patient are on the line. not! you stand a much larger chance of personal injury from breaking them open incorrectly.

don't be intimidated by glass ampules. not many medications are being packages that way anymore anyway. take your time, handle them correctly, and ensure there's a clean break from the neck of the ampule. that's it. if it should happen that the tip or ampule shatter. reject the dose and draw up another one.

wow.... just wow! quitting a job over such a thing? good luck with that.

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