In India, where a large number of medical establishments still do not follow safe disposal guidelines, this article assumes great significance. We all know that syringes are recycled by unscrupulous elements but care is required even while using / disposing vials.                                   Team@CMHF

It is hard to believe, but in the last 10 years, across the United States, reuse of syringes and misuse of medication vials has resulted in the need to alert more than 100,000 patients to seek testing for bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

Myth #1. Contamination of injection devices is limited to the needle and removing the needle makes the syringe safe for reuse. False! The truth is that once used, both the needle and the syringe are contaminated and must be discarded.

Myth #2. Intravenous (IV) tubing or valves can prevent backflow and contamination of injection devices. This is also false! The truth is that everything from the syringe or medication bag to the patient’s IV catheter is a single interconnected unit so small amounts of blood will contaminate the syringe and needle.

Myth #3. If you don’t see blood in the IV tubing or injection equipment, there is no risk of cross‐contamination. Another false assumption. The truth is that pathogens, including hepatitis C and B viruses, and HIV, can be present in sufficient quantities to produce infection without any visible blood.

Myth #4. Single-dose vials that appear to contain multiple doses may be used for more than 1 patient. False again! The truth is that single-dose vials are intended for use in a single patient for a single procedure and should not be used for more than 1 patient, regardless of the vial size.

The following practices can help ensure the safety of your patients:

• Needles and syringes are single-use devices. They should not be used for more than 1 patient or reused to draw up additional medication. Once used, the syringe and needle are both contaminated and must be discarded;
• Do not administer medications from a single‐dose vial or an IV bag to multiple patients, and never combine leftover contents for later use;
• In general, limit the use of multidose vials and dedicate them to a single patient, whenever possible; and
• Finally, please take a moment to pause, with your staff and colleagues, to review injection procedures to ensure that safe practices are understood and followed by all.

If this is the state in United States what could be the situation in India where myths, poverty and ignorance is prevalent .The level of contamination of injectables would be frighteningly high!

Ref: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/735593?src=mp&spon=34