Syringes; Medical Device Used to Inject Fluid Into, or Withdraw Fluid From, the Body

Syringes

Syringes are medical devices used to withdraw fluids and/or inject fluids from the body. These medical devices are made from plastic and disposables and are used in the healthcare practices. High-end syringes are made from glass material. Healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, and/or anyone providing injections) should never reuse a needle or syringe either from one patient to another or to withdraw medicine from a vial. Both syringe and needle must be discarded once they have been used. Syringes are frequently used in clinical medicine to administer injections, draw and/or measure liquids, apply compounds such as glue or lubricant, & infuse intravenous therapy into the bloodstream.

A syringe which is designed for one time use and discarded after the use is called as disposable syringe. Disposable Syringes are used by doctors to inject medications through intramuscular or intravenous ways to treat various diseases. They are also used by research & development personnel. Disposable syringes are made of plastic material and are widely used in the field of medical and veterinary science. They are rapidly replacing conventional glass syringes due to their cost-effectiveness and availability as sterilized units. The advantages of using disposable syringes are of course sterilization and safety, ensuring the sterility and preventing the spread of infection from patient to patient.

The use of disposable, auto-disable, or safety syringes does not obviate the need for sterilization equipment. Medical-grade disposable Syringes are often used in research labs for convenience and low cost. A syringe must be discarded once they have been used, as is not safe to change the needle and reuse the syringe, it may transmit disease. In modern medicine, syringes are widely used to administer medications and vaccinations or to collect blood, as it is an essential part of diagnose. Disposable syringes are used to avoid the risk of infection/disease from one patient to another. An inappropriately sterilized syringe is a potential source of disease, and thus avoid reusing syringe.

Unsterile needles/syringes may transmit blood-borne infections, such as HIV and hepatitis B or C virus. Enteral Syringes are commonly used in hospitals, clinics, and homes to administer drugs and nutritional therapy via the oral, rectal, or sublingual route of administration. Enteral syringes are used for precise measurement of medication that is given to people in a situation where medication dose cannot be measured accurately using a medication spoon or cup. They are also used to administer medications to infants and young children, as well as to administer nutritional contents to people admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). They are manufactured or designed to meet latest international standard ISO-80369-3.

While, retractable needle safety syringes, a type of safety syringe, comes with integrated safety mechanism to reduce the risk of needle stick and other injuries. Retractable Syringes use either manual or spring-loaded retraction to withdraw the needle into the barrel of the syringe. The safety or retractable syringe action is similar to a traditional needle except in one aspect. Once the required amount of fluid is injected, the needle is retracted to protect against the accidental injuries caused by needle sticks. Moreover, retractable needles are advised by WHO as a way of reducing transmission of blood-borne diseases.