Injections are rarely fun for anyone. However, there sometimes comes a moment when we are required to have routine injections. In these cases, you must know how to use a syringe properly and safely.
Are you curious about how to draw medicine into a syringe? How can you be sure that you are using the syringe properly?
While many only get injections in hospital settings, many are choosing instead to do routine injections for themselves or loved ones from the comfort of home. Before you can start, you need to know how to draw medication and inject it safely.
Here is all of the information you need to safely inject yourself or someone else at home.
How to Draw Medicine Into a Syringe
Before handling the syringe or medication, you should thoroughly clean and sanitise your hands. You should also inject yourself in a clean, sterile environment. It's best to set up a room specifically made for your injections.
Next, open the medical vial and sterilise the top, being careful not to touch it with your fingers; allow the rubber top to dry before using it further. If you accidentally touch the top, reclean it and allow it to dry again.
Next, remove and attach the syringe and needle and attach them. Some syringes come with the needle pre-attached. Make sure you exchange the needle every time you inject yourself to prevent infections.
Draw the syringe plunger back until it reaches the mark used to measure your medicine. There should be as much air as there would be medication before putting the needle into the vial. Flip the vial upside down and carefully push the needle into the centre of the rubber stop, holding it like it were a pencil.
Push out all of the air in the syringe before pulling the plunger back again. You can now measure the medicine out. Remove any air pockets by gently flicking the side of the syringe, letting the bubbles drift to the top. Then, push the plunger up until all of the bubbles are out.
You may need to draw a bit more medicine back into the syringe after releasing the air. Make sure you are measuring the medicine carefully before injecting yourself. Make sure you store your medicine away safely to avoid it going bad.
Injecting Medication Safely
Now that you have the syringe filled, you can safely inject yourself. Make sure that you still have alcohol pads, as well as gauze or a cotton ball to cover the injection site after injecting the medicine.
Before inserting the needle, you should sanitise the area with an alcohol pad to prevent infection. Once the area is sanitised, pinch the area of skin that you plan to use as your injection site with your free hand. Hold the syringe like a pencil, then insert the needle into the skin at a 45- to a 90-degree angle.
You can then release the skin, leaving the needle under the skin. Pull the plunger back slightly and examine the syringe for blood. If there is blood, remove the syringe slowly and replace the needle before attempting again at a different injection site.
If there is no blood in the syringe, you are safe to inject the medicine slowly by pushing on the syringe plunger. Remove the needle slowly and place a cotton swab on the injection site if it begins to bleed. Press firmly until the bleeding swaps, and avoid rubbing the area.
What to Do with Used Syringes
Once you have used a syringe, it cannot be used again. It's important to dispose of the used syringe right after using it. There are some considerations you must make when disposing of needles.
Have a separate container that you use to dispose of sharps. It should be a hard plastic or metal container to avoid the needle poking through the container. It should also have a lid that you can attach firmly after you have disposed of the sharp.
Make sure that the designated sharps container is appropriately labelled. That way, it won't accidentally be used for other purposes. If you live in a home with other people, make sure to inform them about the sharps container as well.
Once the container is full, you need to safely remove it from the home. Make sure that the lid is firmly attached to the container, then tape it firmly in place.
How to Store Syringes when Not in Use
Any syringes should be stored carefully when not in use. They should be placed in a labelled metal or hard plastic container similarly to your sharps disposal container. Do not remove any protective casings on the syringes or needles before using them.
Syringes should be placed in a room with low humidity and low temperatures. This will prevent bacteria from growing in or around the syringes.
Use Syringes Properly
Now that you know how to draw medicine into a syringe and inject the medicine safely, you know that you can help yourself or your loved ones get the necessary medicine.
If you are ever concerned about the quality of a syringe or needle, your best bet is to grab a new one and start from scratch. It's always better to be safe than sorry when giving injections.
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