Abstract
Previous research on reuse of disposable syringe and needle units has reported no incidence of inflammation at subjects' injection sites. Even though many diabetic individ uals may reuse insulin syringe and needle units without the approval and/or knowledge of their physician, there have been few studies to document the actual incidence of reuse.
This study examined reuse practices among 302 ambu latory insulin-dependent persons. A total of 134 subjects reported reusing syringe units for 3 to 10 times before dis carding the syringe unit. Subjects who reused disposable syringe units were female more often than male, black rather than white, and tended to be older than their non- reuse counterparts. Those who reused the units typically had been insulin dependent over five years.
Individuals who reused syringe units were comparable to non-reusers in their ability to correctly and aseptically self-administer insulin. Inflammation at injection sites in subjects retrospectively over a five year period of time amounted to a rate of 9.93%. Reusers demonstrated a slightly higher rate of inflammation at injection sites, but there was no statistically significant difference between groups at an alpha of .05.
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