Afluria WTF?

[Thoughtfulsinner]

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Why is it that when I administer this the patient bleeds like crazy? And how the heck are you supposed to take the syringe out after injection to prevent blood from dripping all over the place? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Farmercyst]

Why is it that when I administer this the patient bleeds like crazy? And how the heck are you supposed to take the syringe out after injection to prevent blood from dripping all over the place? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

I haven't had that problem, but I haven't been using afluria this year. We're using Fluzone with Flulaval in reserve. What is your patient demographic. Do you see a lot of anticoag or chronic aspirin patients. I think I've only had one bleeder so far, but as an intern I only do a few shots a day one or two days per week. As for the blood dripping, we're using retractable syringes and I activate it as I'm withdrawing so the needle goes into the syringe as I'm pulling it out. I know you can scare patients that way, but I haven't had anyone freak out yet.

 

[aelephant]

Never had any issues with people bleeding from Afluria. I've given 2 doses and watched one. What size/gauge needle are you using? Some people criticize me, but I usually wait 1-3 seconds after administering the shot before pulling the syringe out. Lets some of those clotting factors get to work and makes sure none of the dose leaks out (which might be impossible with the gauge of syringes we use, but eh).

Be careful with the retractable needles. I've had several that didn't retract as advertised. I've read (I think here) about one pharmacist who got scared when it didn't retract and stuck himself by punching through the cap when he went to re-cap it; had to get tested for HIV and treated with anti-retrovirals.

I've also heard of one pharmacist who didn't realize they were retractable and thought the needle broke off in the patient; sent the patient to the ER for thousands of dollars worth of diagnostic tests to find the needle and ended up paying those bills himself when he learned the needle was in the body of the syringe and NOT the body of the patient. *facepalm*

 

[eeyore spice]

I've also heard of one pharmacist who didn't realize they were retractable and thought the needle broke off in the patient; sent the patient to the ER for thousands of dollars worth of diagnostic tests to find the needle and ended up paying those bills himself when he learned the needle was in the body of the syringe and NOT the body of the patient. *facepalm*

Seriously?? How would you not know what kind of needle you're using? Was he the only one giving shots or was there someone to ask? Maybe take a second look at the syringe before completely freaking out the patient?