To fill a syringe for injection, you need to follow a careful procedure to ensure you are drawing up the correct medication and dose, while also maintaining sterility. The process varies slightly depending on whether you're using a vial (a small glass container with a rubber stopper) or an ampule (a sealed glass container that needs to be broken). The following process describes how to fill a syringe from a vial, as demonstrated in the referenced video.
Steps to Fill a Syringe from a Vial
- Prepare your supplies: Gather your syringe, needle, medication vial, and alcohol wipes.
- Clean the vial stopper: Use an alcohol wipe to clean the rubber stopper on the medication vial. Allow it to air dry. This minimizes the risk of introducing bacteria into the vial.
- Draw air into the syringe: Pull back the plunger of the syringe to the line indicating the amount of medication you need to withdraw.
- Example: If you need to withdraw 1 mL of medication, draw 1 mL of air into the syringe.
- Insert the needle into the vial: Carefully insert the needle through the center of the rubber stopper of the medication vial.
- Inject air into the vial: Push the plunger of the syringe to inject the air you drew into the vial. This creates positive pressure, which makes it easier to withdraw the medication.
- Invert the vial: With the needle still inserted, turn the vial upside down. Ensure that the needle tip is in the medication and not in the air space.
- Withdraw the medication: Slowly pull back the plunger of the syringe to withdraw the required dose of medication.
- Check for Air Bubbles: Look at the syringe for air bubbles. If there are air bubbles, gently tap the syringe to make them go to the top and then push the plunger up slightly to remove them. Repeat as needed until no more air is present and the correct dose of medication is in the syringe.
- Remove the needle: Carefully remove the needle from the vial.
- Prepare for injection: If your needle is not attached to a safety device, immediately cap the needle using a safety scoop method to avoid accidental needle stick injury or change the needle to a safety needle. If the injection is not immediate, place the syringe onto a safe surface.
Important Considerations
- Sterility: Maintaining sterility throughout the process is critical to prevent infections.
- Accuracy: Always verify you have drawn up the correct dose of medication.
- Safety: Use safety needles or a safety method for capping needles when available to prevent needlestick injuries.
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gather Supplies | Syringe, needle, vial, alcohol wipes |
| 2 | Clean Vial Stopper | Use an alcohol wipe, let air dry |
| 3 | Draw air into the syringe | To the amount of medication needed |
| 4 | Insert needle into vial | Through the center of the stopper |
| 5 | Inject air into the vial | This pressurizes the vial, making it easier to withdraw the medication |
| 6 | Invert the vial | Needle tip in medication, not air space |
| 7 | Withdraw the medication | Slowly pull the plunger to the required dose |
| 8 | Remove air bubbles | Gently tap the syringe and remove any air before injection |
| 9 | Remove the needle from the vial | Carefully pull the needle straight out of the vial |
| 10 | Prepare for injection | Secure needle or place on a safe surface prior to injection |
