Thanks to all who responded to my inquiry. The family in the LTC facility wanted to use the ultra fine lancets because they stated they did not hurt as badly. Unfortunately there was a needle stick for the nurse, (the resident is unable to do her own blood sugar check). By informing the family of the law regarding safety needles for healthcare workers, the nurses will only use safety needles now. Let me share with you also that there is a drug on the market, Forteo - for osteoporosis, that is in a pen that the nurse was having to attach a needle to the pen, give the sub q injection daily, and then unscrew the needle for discard. This presented a potential for a stick, so the doctor has been notified and the drug must be changed. The family is wanting the resident to have this drug, but the administrator has stated that his nurses will not be put at risk of a needle stick. If the resident can do their own injection, or the family wants
to do the fingerstick or injection according to the doctor's orders, than the facility will supply them with the non-safety needles, otherwise it is safety needles only for the nurses.
Diane Jiles,RN-CRNI
