OK, here's where I need retraining. For YEARS I have been doing sub-cutaneous fluids on our kidney failure pets. (These are fluids that are injected by needle under the skin, to be absorbed by the body in addition to what the pet may be taking in by mouth.) I'm talking thousands of times I've done this, and lo, and behold I have just learned that I am not recapping my needle properly at the end.
Safety protocol dictates that you do NOT recap your needle using your other hand. Rather it's a one-handed sort of scoop of the needle into the cap which you then press against something to secure it.
I'm ashamed to admit I have used both hands (one to hold the needle, the other to hold the cap and then voila! the two are joined). The danger? That you miss the cap and skewer the pad of your finger. And have I ever done this? Of course. The caps are an opaque color and you think you're headed into it and then YEEEEEOW! Your finger's on fire and spouting blood like it's been actually cut off. Really it is amazing to me that the pets don't bleed like this when they are stuck. Maybe I'll learn why.
The good news is that I have only stuck myself with lactated Ringers needles and not with something that should absolutely not be poked into my body. The stakes are raised now.
I must reform. And throw away the Bandaids in favor of better prevention.
ah ha interesting as i dont reuse my sub cut needles! just use a sharps box and dispose of them. however i have stabbed myself plenty of times. as has my vet. lol we are learning!!
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't reuse my needles either but I leave the last one used on the line until the next time.
ReplyDeleteI am working hard at reforming my capping technique!