sscheinfe Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Basically, we have pre-filled syringes for use in our practice (assume it's saline flush syringe for argument purposes). I uncapped it to use, but it wasn't needed, so I carefully recapped it with a new sterile cover. How long can it still now be safely used, now that it was (very brielfy) exposed to the air? I had a doctor once who would draw up meds from a multiuse vial, and then put a new needle on the syringe for use on the patient...but he saved the original needle that was only used to draw from the vial, and he was of the opinion that it was OK to reuse that needle all day (as long as sterilly handled). Is there any consensus as to how long is too long? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Not sure but when we spike an IV bag on the medic unit I still ride with, we deem it good for the rest of the shift (one day). Given the cost of a prefilled saline flush, I would probably pitch it rather than recap it. It's not worth the risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sscheinfe Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 I'd toss it, but the syringe in question is filled with a medication about 200 times more expensive than saline :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToppDog Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 It should be tossed. Think about it. if you found an opened syringe laying around, can you guarantee the sterility based on someone elses sayso? I would get in the habit of not even opening the packaging until it is clear you are going to use it to avoid the waste, especially if it's an expensive medication. That being said, expense does not justify unsafe practices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Savage Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 The pre-packaged saline flushes are not truly sterile in the first place, not in a surgical sense anyway. There are other things airborne besides bacteria too. There is a lot of thoery about bacteria and viruses and sterility, but for sure they travel by the vector of open air. Unless the needle is kept in a negative pressure room and on a sterile table and every one that enters the room all day wears surgical masks, I would say that it is no good. If you are just uncapping it, popping some roids into someones back, and tossing it... then the Time vector on the X-Y graph is negligable, or acceptable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sscheinfe Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 Yeah, I suppose so. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterallsummer Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 If you were the patient, would you want to be given medicine with a syringe like this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Febrifuge Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I'd toss it, but the syringe in question is filled with a medication about 200 times more expensive than saline :-) Physics, biochemistry, and other sciences care not for economic arguments. The pathogens in the air are likewise not impressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
problem child Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I can't believe the doc is so cheap he uses the same syringe all day!! wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToppDog Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Don't be suprised. I've heard of some places so cheap they would use one side of an alcohol wipe for the vial, & the other side for the patient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
problem child Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Don't be suprised. I've heard of some places so cheap they would use one side of an alcohol wipe for the vial, & the other side for the patient. OMG... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoRyou Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Don't be suprised. I've heard of some places so cheap they would use one side of an alcohol wipe for the vial, & the other side for the patient. Please tell me you are joking ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToppDog Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Not joking. I knew another doc who was so cheap he would have the pages taken out of patient charts so his transcriptionist could type in the new dictation on whatever space was left over on the page, instead of using the adhesive backed transcription paper or typing a letter. In the short time I worked there I personally saw this come back to bite him in the ass. I'm sure you can imagine all the things that could go wrong with routinely removing pages out of patient charts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derbingle Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 <<<<[i had a doctor once who would draw up meds from a multiuse vial, and then put a new needle on the syringe for use on the patient...but he saved the original needle that was only used to draw from the vial, and he was of the opinion that it was OK to reuse that needle all day (as long as sterilly handled). Is there any consensus as to how long is too long?] (this is quoted from OP...didnt quit quote)>>>> In might interesting info: This type of practice resulted in one of the largest judgements against drug company to compensate numerous people infected possibly, likely through multidose vials. Google "lidocaine multidose vials lawsuit." Doc and staff were suppose to be doing same thing but sloppiness got in the way. Every pt in this city gets their own new vial of any med now. We throw away sooooo much lidocaine, and many others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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