Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mikey Irish on October 21, 2009 at 6:35pm

I actually swab both the injection site and the top of the vial. I had a complication with an infection and really don't want to repeat that if at all possible. No fun.

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Permalink Reply by Mikey Irish on October 21, 2009 at 6:43pm

The infection wasnt injection related btw. Just precaution. Like the nurse said "Any opening in the skin...bla bla bla..." Yeah I'm not going there again. LOL

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Permalink Reply by Gerri on October 21, 2009 at 7:55pm

I never use alcohol swabs before injecting. It dries out your skin & doesn't disinfect anyway. Something has to be submerged in alcohol for a long time to disinfect. Doctors & nurses know this, but they swab us because people expect it.

Since a quick wipe doesn't do a thing, I don't bother with swabbing vials either.

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Permalink Reply by MelissaBL on October 21, 2009 at 9:50pm

I stopped swabbing the bottle tops about 10 years ago, I think. I stopped using alcohol swabs altogether when I began pumping in 2000. I was using IV preps to make the skin sticky and the alcohol seemed like a useless step pre-IV prep. I haven't bought a box since.

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Permalink Reply by KiwiRox on October 21, 2009 at 10:00pm

I'm still cleaning my vials with alcohol swabs and I pump. Not sure why come to think of it. Guess habit is a good excuse and I know where that vial has been.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on October 21, 2009 at 10:13pm

I've never done either for injections. I don't swab the vial to fill up my pump cartridges.. however I do prep my pump sites, but that is mostly to ensure good adhesion (alcohol removes body oils) not for disinfecting.

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Permalink Reply by Pat on October 21, 2009 at 10:35pm

As a paramedic I need to swab my patients with a betadine or alcohol swab prior to starting and IV or giving them any injection of medication as per our protocols using an aseptic technique, when injecting myself with insulin I never use a swab although I have them I just never have and never had a problem with infection, As for the swabbing the bottle tops only at work per protocols. PS your insulin pen is also a bottle with a top and its not a one time use. With my Job I cannot use an insulin pump while working so I have to resort to the pen or syringes when on the job days I get to enjoy the freedom of the pump on days off or vactions. By swabbing you are now also injecting a small amount of that under your skin.
Just My 2 cents

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Permalink Reply by Pat on October 22, 2009 at 7:12pm

Q. Why can't I wear a pump at work.
A. My job function may require me to submerge myself in water at a seconds notice to perform a rescue, I may also be required to be exposed to a chemical or biological atmospheres and cannot have an opening in my skin. I may be required to perform a confined space rescue with minimal clearances crawling down a long tube as my body drags across its surface. Are the pumps intrinsically safe for use in explosive atmospheres this needs to be guaranteed in writing as my pension rides on the issue

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Permalink Reply by MelissaBL on October 22, 2009 at 7:26pm

I've heard of paramedics who pumped on the conventional pumps. You could also opt to use a pump that's approved for submersion and has no tubing, like the Omnipod. An insulin pump does not leave an opening in your skin any more than a syringe would. As far as hazmat and explosive atmospheres, I don't know the answer to that. But my father has been a paramedic my whole life - I'll ask for his input.

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Permalink Reply by Pat on October 22, 2009 at 8:00pm

Melissa I also function as a Fire fighter and a Hazmat Tech so I am not limited to just being a Paramedic and I have had my job from before the time pumps where born or popular so when I asked about using them after a battle with my insurance company to get approval. I was confronted with a thousand questions from my employer as to the liability allot of what's and if's. I did not fight for the right to use a pump as I am just as comfortable with the pen or syringes and am more happy just doing my job then fighting a political battle if you know what I mean. I am also required to apply a bio occlusive dressing over my injection site prior to responding to calls.

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Permalink Reply by MelissaBL on October 22, 2009 at 8:16pm

That's far more strenuous protocol than I've ever heard of. I'm sorry you have to dress the sites. That seems like overkill.

If you're interested, I found this thread just now on a firefighters' forum where people are discussing pros and cons of pumping, tubing, additional devices on the belt, insulin spoiling in the heat of a call, etc.

My dad is a fire captain, paramedic/EMT, etc. with hazmat training. I completely respect what you do. My dad has a couple melted helmets he always displayed proudly throughout my childhood. I have never thought about whether a pump could take the heat. I just know that many firefighting type 1s still opt to use them. The guys on that thread say they disconnect for blazes though.

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Permalink Reply by Pat on October 22, 2009 at 8:27pm

Thanks Melissa I will check out the link, I just don't like to make waves at work so I opted for what they were happy with maybe down the road I can try it again but I am 1 against many and I am always under the microscope anyways.

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