Introduction
In this blog, we’ll take a look at the different uses, types, and sizes of medical needles, as well as general usage guidelines and best practices. We also look at the risks of medical needle usage and what precautions you should take.
What are the uses of a medical needle?
Medical needles can be used as part of one-off treatments, tests, or procedures, or they can be used more frequently as part of ongoing treatments, such as for people with diabetes who need to administer insulin or people who are taking injectable weight-loss medication.
In the latter two examples, the people with these conditions or using these treatments typically learn how to safely and properly use medical needles on their own, at home, to self-administer the medication they need.
Medical needles are hollow, which allows fluid to move through them. These needles can be used to inject medications or vaccines into the body or to extract fluids such as blood from the body.
What are the different needle sizes and purposes? Does needle size matter?
One of the most common types of medical needles is a hypodermic needle. These are designed to be very sharp and are typically easy to use. They are intended for many of the most common injections which simply involve injecting something under the person’s skin. If you are taking weight loss medications, or are self-administering insulin, you are using a hypodermic needle.
We carry Wegovy and Mounjaro compatible needles, as well as a wide variety of different brands of needles for injecting insulin, such as BD Viva, MyLife Clickfine, GlucoRx, and Neon Verifine, amongst others.
Another common type of needle is the intravenous injection needle, which is designed to be inserted into a vein in the person’s body. These needles tend to have a larger diameter than hypodermic needles, meaning the hollow portion of the needle (through which fluid flows) is bigger.
There are also medical needles which are intended to collect fluid from the body (rather than injecting something into the body).
There are different diameters of needles as well as lengths, as the needle size is important due to what type of medication or substance is being injected into or withdrawn from the body, and where on the body the needle use is taking place.
Different medications and vaccines, as well as different bodily fluids, have different thicknesses, so using a very small needle for a very thick medication will take longer and be more difficult than using a larger needle through which the medication can flow more easily.
You may see that needles are labelled with different “gauges.” This refers to the diameter of the needle, through which the fluid moves. The larger the gauge number, the smaller the needle diameter; for example, an 18 gauge needle is smaller than a 16 gauge needle.
Medical needles are also typically colour-coded so that it makes it easier to quickly identify the correct needle size.
How do you use a medical needle?
Regardless of what type or size of medical needle you are using, it’s important to be sure that your hands (or those of whoever will be performing the injection) are clean and dry. The area of your body which will come into contact with the needle should also be clean and dry.
If a healthcare professional will be using a medical needle on you, they can explain what the process involves and answer any questions before, during, and after the procedure or treatment.
If you are using a medical needle at home–for example, if you are self-administering weight loss medication or insulin–you should have been provided with guidance and directions before you self-inject for the first time, such as where to inject your medication, how often, and so on. It is important to carefully read all provided instructions before you begin the injection process, and to be sure that you fully understand them before you proceed, reaching out to a healthcare professional if and when needed.
Can you use the same needle twice on the same person?
Medical needles should only ever be used once, even if it is the same person getting another injection. A new needle must be used every time, as they are designed to be single-use and any reuse significantly increases the chances of damage to the needle, which can then cause issues such as increased pain, bruising, or scarring for the person being injected.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that medical needles are sterile at the point you receive them, but as soon as you open and use one, they are no longer sterile, which means that they can carry bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can cause infections, diseases, or other complications.
After using a medical needle, it should immediately be properly disposed of. You can learn more about the safe disposal of needles in our blog here.
What precautions should be taken when using medical needles?
One of the most common risks when using medical needles is a needlestick injury, which is when someone accidentally pricks themself with the needle, whether before, during, or after the injection is administered.
A needlestick injury carries the danger of spreading infection between people (if the needle was used prior to the needlestick injury occurring). A needlestick injury can also lead to exposure to whatever drug, medicine, or chemical was being administered, which may cause complications for the person exposed.
To help prevent and avoid needlestick injuries, some best practices to follow include:
- The individual handling the needle should be trained.
- The individual administering the injection should wear appropriate medical gloves.
- The needle cap should only be removed immediately prior to injection.
- The needle should never be pointed towards anyone, except for the injection site at the time of the injection.
- Fingers should always be kept away from the tip of the needle.
- Visual contact with the needle should be maintained at all times.
- Used needles should immediately be properly disposed of in a secure sharps bin.
If a needlestick injury occurs, the area should be immediately washed with soap and water or an antiseptic. If blood or other bodily fluids are involved, or there is a risk of exposure to whatever medicine or substance was part of the injection, immediate medical attention should be sought.
In summary
There are different types and sizes of medical needles, and their intended uses vary, although they are commonly used to administer vaccines or other medicines, including insulin and weight loss medications, or to take fluid samples, such as blood. It’s important to use the correct needle size (depending upon the procedure or treatment) and to always use a new needle for each injection. Before handling and using a medical needle, the entire process should be understood ahead of time, and all directions should be followed to ensure that the injection is as safe and effective as possible.