Multiple use of disposable insulin syringe-needle units
R. H. Hodge Jr, L. Krongaard, M. A. Sande and D. L. Kaiser
Fourteen insulin-dependent diabetics were asked to use their insulin syringe-needle
units three times in succession to determine the efficacy and safety of
this practice. The mean duration of time each patient participated in the
study was 20.4 weeks, and a total of 2,000 injections were taken. No signs
of infections at the injection site were observed. Multiple use of disposable
insulin syringe-needle units appears to be safe and cost beneficial.
Safety of reusing disposable plastic insulin syringes.
Collins BJ, Richardson SG, Spence BK, Hunter J, Nelson JK.
53 diabetic patients took part in a study to assess the safety of reusing
plastic disposable syringes for insulin injection. Each patient used the
same plastic syringe for 7 days. The syringe needles were changed when blunt.
No patient developed signs of infection at the injection site. Bacteriological
assessment of the used syringes and needles showed no contamination in any
of the syringes, although one needle was contaminated. The effectiveness
of bacteriostatic additives to insulin preparations was demonstrated. The
presence of these additives renders safe the practice of a diabetic patient
reusing a plastic disposable syringe over a 7-day period.