I went to have a routine blood test some time ago following an advice of my doctor. I preferred to do that privately as I was covered by a private health insurance.
During the test, the lab technician took a syringe and needle from a tray beside me to draw my blood. While on the tray, the needle was covered with a cap but there was no wrapper on it. Neither was the syringe wrapped.
I only started thinking about this when I returned home. I recalled that previously when I was tested syringes and needles were unwrapped in my presence!
I wonder if there should be a cause of concern. Of course, I realise that as a matter of general practice, lab technicians do not reuse syringes and needles. Moreover, I have heard that for example, lancets used in INSTI tests are one use only. However, this is not an issue for syringes and needles used in routine blood tests, is it?
And two more questions please. First, do you think there is a possibility of negligence in my case, i.e. the lab technician forgot to throw away the needle used on a patient before me and then reused it on me?
And the second one please. As far as I understand, I am not the only one who raises such questions. Why the medical authorities or NHS do not establish a procedure/rule for any of blood tests to unwrap syringes and needles in patients' presence? Why private companies do not follow such a simple procedure as well? In my opinion, this helps to eliminate some major fears of HIV transmission.
I've copied your question beneath and answered in red alongaside:-
Quote:
I went to have a routine blood test some time ago following an advice of my doctor. I preferred to do that privately as I was covered by a private health insurance.
During the test, the lab technician took a syringe and needle from a tray beside me to draw my blood. While on the tray, the needle was covered with a cap but there was no wrapper on it. Neither was the syringe wrapped.
I only started thinking about this when I returned home. I recalled that previously when I was tested syringes and needles were unwrapped in my presence!
I wonder if there should be a cause of concern. Of course, I realise that as a matter of general practice, lab technicians do not reuse syringes and needles. Moreover, I have heard that for example, lancets used in INSTI tests are one use only. However, this is not an issue for syringes and needles used in routine blood tests, is it?all syringes and needles etc come as sterile single use items - they may be unwrapped and prepared for use by the technician - this is so his or her day runs smoothly, they have all the kit to hand etc - I simply do not believe that there is a realistic chance of the technician re-suing a syringe/needle etc by accident - it is outside my experience of 25 years practice in all sorts of medical environments - acute NHS hospitals, accident departmenst, attending accidents at the roadside, paedicatric and adult intensive care, etc etc etc - never ever experienced, seen or suspected it so I have no cause for concern
And two more questions please. First, do you think there is a possibility of negligence in my case, i.e. the lab technician forgot to throw away the needle used on a patient before me and then reused it on me?as above - no
And the second one please. As far as I understand, I am not the only one who raises such questions. Why the medical authorities or NHS do not establish a procedure/rule for any of blood tests to unwrap syringes and needles in patients' presence? Why private companies do not follow such a simple procedure as well? In my opinion, this helps to eliminate some major fears of HIV transmission.they have scores of patients - they are professionals and they take blood etc day in day out and all day long - we tend here to open things in front of people - but we operate at a slower pace and we have lots of people who have the same concerns as you. I do not believe they are valid concerns at all - as I say above I have never had a concern like that.
Chances of reusing needles and syringes
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