Safety Syringes

• Remove the seal cap of the safety syringe;
• Position the safety syringe by the injection point;
• Insert the cannula of the safety syringe into the injection point at the required depth;
• Push the piston barrel of the safety syringe till the end;
• Remove the safety syringe from the injection point;
• Safety syringes are activated without further handling steps by the end user. Safety is ensured as no unintentional needle injuries and no reuse of the syringe is possible.

After administering the content of the syringe, the needle retracts to the inside of the barrel. The retraction can be triggered automatically through the usual use of the syringe, or through an active input from the user.

Concerning the active retraction (when the syringe plunger is pressed to inject the medication and the base of the plunger gets to the needle), pulling back the plunger again will cause the needle to retract into the barrel of the syringe.

Concerning the passive retraction, the base of the syringe in contact with the plunger triggers a spring mechanism which automatically retracts the needle. No additional steps need to be taken to activate the safety mechanism.

• Safety syringes can be needle-less devices;
• The safety feature is built into the device itself;
• Safety syringes don’t necessarily require the activation by the user. In case of active retraction instead, the safety feature can be obtained through a single handed technique, allowing the users’ hands to stay safe from any dangerous contact with the needle;
• The user can easily tell whether the safety feature has been activated or not through sounds or color changes;
• The safety feature cannot be deactivated, which ensures safety and protection even during disposal (the conventional syringe leaves the needle exposed even after the injection has been completed. Until a healthcare worker actually places the syringe in a specially-designed plastic garbage container, it remains exposed and capable of harming anyone nearby);
• Safety syringes can work with different sized needles;
• When a conventional needle is left exposed after use on a patient, it can accidentally stick another person, such as a healthcare worker; with the retractable safety syringes this is not possible;
• Safety syringes are practical and easy to use.

• Prepare injections in a clean, designated area that is free from blood and body fluid contamination;
• Follow product-specific recommendations for storage, handling and use of vaccines;
• Do not attempt to remove the needle from the safety syringe with your hands;
• NEVER leave the needle in the top of the vaccine vial to withdraw multiple doses, as it provides a direct route for microorganisms to enter the vial and contaminate the vaccine;
• ALWAYS use a new needle and a new syringe every time an injection is given. The practice of loading multiple doses in a syringe and then injecting different patients is dangerous and never justifiable;
• ALWAYS use a sterile needle and sterile syringe to mix each vial of freeze-dried vaccine. Then throw away the mixing syringe and needle in the needle-disposal box;
• ALWAYS use a new safety syringe each time vaccine is withdrawn from a multi-dose vial.

Used syringes with their exposed cannulas are a constant source of danger for doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers. One careless movement can cause healthcare professionals to expose themselves or patients to aggressive active agents. In order to prevent these injuries, retractable safety syringes should be used.

Retractable safety syringes have the same operating procedure as most the traditional syringes. They usually present a safety locking system, which doesn’t affect the original function of the syringe. This is due to the rotational and locking feature. When the needle is being retracted into the barrel, it will automatically slant to prevent accidents in the future.

The full retraction of the needle inside the body of the syringe saves space during the disposal. After the needle has been pushed and the injection has been given to the patient, usually either a spring or gas cell enacts the needle and retracts it fully into the body of the barrel.

The World Health Organization has recognized the value of retractable syringes in Australia, China, Indonesia, and Gambia among others.