Present Situation and Problems in Needle Exchange During Preparation of Injections at Hospitals

Abstract

 This study was performed to identify problems related to the method of exchange of needles during preparation of injections and to obtain suggestions for establishment of safer injection techniques. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey for hospital nurses that was conducted nationwide. The subjects were 729 nurses with a median of experience of clinical nursing of 15 years. For needle exchange, recapping with both hands, recapping with scooping in the tray, removing with a needle disposal box, and removing with hand. Furthermore, 61.3% of nurses who had experience of needle recognized that their method for exchange of needles during preparation of injections could be problematic. These findings suggest that a clean and safe method should be developed for exchange of needles without use of recapping.