New needle, new syringe – every time!

Always:

• Follow aseptic practices during the preparation and administration of injected medications. 
• Use medications packaged as single-use vials for only one patient.

Never:

• Administer medications from the same syringe to more than one patient, even if the needle is changed. 
• Enter a vial with a used syringe or needle.

Originally published in the November 30, 2010, issue of The Link