Download 11. Safe Injection Practices Recent outbreaks of HBV and HIV

11. Safe Injection Practices
Recent outbreaks of HBV and HIV in the out patient setting in the United States have
been associated with breaches in infection control practices when using equipment for
injection. Therefore it is essential to adhere to safe injection practises for
administration of injections, this includes
1. Aseptic Technique
a) Use of aseptic technique when preparing injections to avoid contamination of
sterile injection equipment.
b) Aseptic technique includes separation of clean and dirty areas. A clean area
should be identified where injections are prepared. Preparation of medication
on the surfaces where used equipment is disposed of is to be avoided.
2. Using single use sterile syringe and needle for each injection given.
3. Single dose vials are recommended where possible.
4. Multi-dose vials
a) Where multi-dose vials are used do not access in the immediate resident
/client treatment area.
b) Prepare the injection in a preparation area and then bring to the resident
/client area.
c) Any multi dose vials accessed at the bedside or when the resident /client is
present must be disposed of.
d) A sterile needle and syringe must be used each time the vial is accessed.
5. Fluid infusions and administration sets. e.g. intravenous bags, tubing and
connectors
a) Are single use items i.e. use for one resident/client and discard after one
use.
b) Do not use fluid infusion bags to draw up mixing solutions for medications
vials or flushing solutions for intravenous catheters (e.g., normal
saline/sterile water) for multiple patients.
c) A needle or syringe should be considered as contaminated once it has been
used to enter or connect to a residents/client intravenous infusion bag or
administration set.
6. Blood Glucose Monitoring
a) Fingerstick devices should never be used for more then one person. A single
use disposable device with a retractable needle is recommended.
b) In long term care settings glucose monitoring devices should not be used for
more then one person. In health centre and day centers encourage clients to
bring their own devices. If they must be shared then cleaning and
disinfection must be carried out between each use as per manufacturer’s
instructions.(Refer to Blood Glucose Monitoring Section 12.5)
c) Where insulin pens are used these must be dedicated to an individual and
never shared and labeled with residents/client details.
See Appendix 3.10 Safe injection poster
Guidelines on Infection Prevention and Control 2012
HSE South (Cork and Kerry)
Community and Disability Services.
Standard Precautions
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