What You Need to Know About Unsafe Injection Practices in the U.S.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is concerned about the rate of infection caused by unsafe injection practices throughout the U.S. healthcare system. This month, injection safety is the topic of a CDC webcast designed to generate discussion on this important issue.

Injectable medicines are used for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a number of illnesses. We know that unsafe injection practices place patients at risk for infections that may result in a serious illness, hospitalization or even death. The risk of infection is dramatically reduced if simple injection safety practices are followed.

The CDC checklist of injection safety items include:

– Using asceptic techniques (sterile conditions) in a clean area free from contamination or contact with body fluids, blood, or contaminated equipment.

– Needles and syringes are used for one and only one patient (including manufactured pre-filled syringes and cartridge devices like insulin pens).

– Rubber septums (stoppers) on medication vials are disinfected prior to piercing.

– Medication vials are entered with a new needle and new a syringe, even when obtaining additional doses for the same patient.

– Tubing and connectors are used for only one patient.

– Specific practices for multi-dose vials are followed, such as discarding vials within 28 days of opening; multi-dose vial dedicated to one patient.

Patients and their families need to be aware of the dangers of unsafe injection practices. If you are in doubt as to whether your healthcare provider uses safe injection practices,  do not hesitate to raise your concerns with them.  Harm from unsafe injection practices is preventable through renewed and vigilant attention to injection safety and infection control.

Call the experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Henry Henry at 810-720-400 or 888-905-4632  if you or a loved one have been harmed by unsafe injection procedures. We are determined to achieve the maximum degree of justice for our clients.