The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends seven steps for healthcare providers to ensure safe injections:
- Clean the work space. This step helps to prevent contamination of the injection site and the medication.
- Practice hand hygiene. Washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is crucial to prevent the spread of infections.
- Use sterile and new syringes and needles, with re-use prevention and/or injury protection features whenever possible. Single-use syringes and needles are essential for reducing the risk of transmission of bloodborne infections.
- Use a sterile vial of medication and diluent. This helps to prevent contamination of the medication and potential infection.
- Prepare the medication correctly. Ensure the proper medication, dosage, and dilution are used, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Administer the injection using the appropriate technique. This includes choosing the correct injection site, using the appropriate needle length and gauge, and administering the injection at the correct angle.
- Ensure appropriate waste management. Dispose of syringes and needles in a sharps container to prevent accidental needlesticks and the spread of infections.
By adhering to these seven steps, healthcare providers can significantly reduce the risk of infections associated with injections, ensuring the safety of both patients and healthcare workers.
