Can blood glucose test needles be reused?
Disease description:
Today when I went to the pharmacy to buy medicine, I saw the pharmacy staff helping two elderly people measure their blood glucose levels. I'm not sure if I missed something, but I had the impression that the staff member didn't change the needle when testing the second elderly person. Is it acceptable to reuse the needles for blood glucose testing?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
Needles used for blood glucose testing should not be reused. These needles are typically intended for single use to avoid cross-contamination and ensure accurate measurements. During use, the surface of the needle can easily become contaminated with microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. Reusing needles may increase the risk of bacterial infections and, in severe cases, can lead to systemic infections such as sepsis or septicemia. Additionally, sharing needles among multiple individuals may transmit diseases such as chronic hepatitis B and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), posing serious health risks.
Therefore, when using blood glucose test needles, please strictly follow the principle of single-use. After each blood glucose measurement, promptly dispose of used needles properly, such as placing them in a medical waste container, to prevent environmental pollution and injury to others. At the same time, prior to blood glucose testing, ensure adequate disinfection, such as cleaning the skin with a disinfectant swab, to maintain a sterile condition at the blood collection site.
