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Good Practice Statement for the Preparation of Injections in Near-Patient Areas, including Clinical and Home Environments
APPENDIX 5 INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS AND CARERS ON THE PREPARATION OF INJECTIONS
1. The information and instructions provided to patients and carers must be tailored to their individual needs and circumstances. Healthcare staff who are involved in supporting patients and carers should consider home, work and social circumstances when advising on the suitability of environments for preparation.
2. Patients and carers should be shown how to prepare their injections, and given adequate opportunity to practise under supervision until they are familiar and confident with the procedure and have achieved the necessary competence. Healthcare staff should re-assess the patient's or carer's technique regularly. Records of initial instruction and re-assessment should be kept, signed by both the healthcare worker and the patient or carer.
3. Written information and instruction on the preparation of injections should include:
The following general guidance is extracted from the leaflet provided to patients of the Scottish Adult Cystic Fibrosis Service, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.
"How do I prepare IV antibiotics?"
1. When you are prescribed a course of IV antibiotics you will be supplied with:
a) Vials of antibiotics - either in powder form which has to be dissolved in water for injection or in liquid form ready to inject.
b) Water for injection - if needed to dissolve antibiotic powder in vial.
c) Sodium chloride for injection (saline) - for flushing the line and to separate antibiotics if two are prescribed together.
d) Heparin (Hepflush®) - which prevents blood clots from forming in injection devices.
2. It is important to check the names, doses and expiry dates of all drugs prior to their preparation and administration. Check that all sterile equipment to be used (e.g. syringes and needles) is intact.
3. It is important to use a clean area easily washed down with detergent and water (like a tray or kitchen work top) where you can prepare your antibiotic injections. Minimise sources of germs during the procedure by keeping pets out of the room and reduce the amount of dust in the air by closing windows and avoiding housework, such as dusting, prior to the injection.
4. Thoroughly clean your hands before you begin.
5. Always use 'no-touch' technique when preparing the antibiotics:
NEVER touch the ends of needles, nozzle of syringes, necks of ampoules or rubber bungs.
ALWAYS put plastic covers back on needles even when expelling air (do not put cover back on needles once they've been used - put needles in cin-bin).
If you think you may have contaminated the needle, syringe or vial during the procedure (by touching or dropping) then discard and start again.
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