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Medical Industry
How to Properly Use a Syringe (With Steps)
Syringes have a wide range of applications and are used in research labs, doctors’ offices, pharmacies, hospitals, dental clinics, veterinary facilities and more. Today we’re going to teach you the proper steps to follow when using a syringe.
What Are Syringes Used For?
Syringes are small hollow tubes (with or without a needle) used for the safe and accurate injection of medicines or withdrawal of fluids from the body of a person or animal. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using syringes that can only be used one time to safeguard against the multiple health risks that come with using injection devices, including injecting a person with unintended compounds/contaminants or the spread of infectious diseases.
The steps that follow will teach you how to prepare, use and dispose of a syringe for a typical medical injection.
How to Accurately Read a Syringe
It’s important to familiarize yourself with the units of measurement on your syringe. They typically measure in millimeters or fractions of a millimeter. Always measure from the base of the tip on the syringe’s plunger. This can be different depending on the syringe (dome, flat, tipped). If you’re unsure, refer to the literature that accompanied your syringe or ask a qualified professional.
Need syringes for your practice? CanGard carries various syringes to meet your needs. Contact us today, or visit our online store!
Step 1: Wash Hands & Prepare Your Supplies
Always be sure to wash your hands before starting. You will then need the following items:
- Syringe w/needle (attached or detached depending on the unit)
- Medication vial
- Alcohol pads
- Cotton ball
- Band-aid
- Sharps container
Step 2: Check Your Medicine
Always ensure that the medicine you’re about to administer is the correct one, as well as check if it’s passed its expiration date. Any literature provided with the medicine should be reviewed for other preparatory instructions.
Step 3: Prepare the Syringe & Fill
Remove the needle cover and insert the needle into the medicine vial. Turn the vial upside down with the syringe needle inside. Gently pull back on the syringe plunger until filled with the correct amount. After filling, remove the syringe and check for air bubbles by tapping on the side (this helps them to dissipate and may change the fluid level inside). Fill in more if necessary.
Step 4: Provide the Injection
Clean the injection site with an alcohol pad and then proceed to administer the injection. Immediately apply pressure with a cotton ball to control any bleeding. A bandage can be applied shortly afterward.
Step 5: Safely Dispose of the Syringe
Syringes and needles should never be thrown away in any sort of regular garbage disposal. A sharps container is the best method for getting rid of used injection devices. If you don’t have one, they can be purchased at your local pharmacy and even most department stores.
Medical Syringes in Canada
CanGard is a trusted Canadian provider of personal protective equipment, safety supplies, and medical equipment, including medical-grade syringes and needles. Check out our extensive selection by visiting our syringe category online!
