How to Use a Filter Needle & Ampule

An ampule is a sealed glass container that resembles a bulb. Ampules are used in the medical field to package pharmaceuticals in a sterile manner. The ampule is opened by breaking the neck. This process can cause a shower of glass shards that may be too small to be seen. Administration of medication with glass shards can result in inflammation of the veins, pulmonary granuloma, infection and even death. A filter needle contains a membrane that will reduce the chance of glass being introduced into a medication.

Things You'll Need

• Non-filter needle
• Filter needle
• Syringe
• Gauze
• Disposable gloves

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands with soap and warm water, paying attention to areas that harbor bacteria such as around fingernails and between fingers. Dry hands thoroughly with a clean cloth or papertowel.

• 2

  Put in a pair of disposable gloves. Personal protective equipment should be worn at all times when drawing up medications.

• 3

  Place the filter needle on the end of the syringe, leaving the protective cap in place.

• 4

  Set the ampule on a flat surface. Tap the top of the ampule so the the liquid drains from the neck.

• 5

  Wrap a piece of gauze around the neck of the ampule.

• 6

  Break the neck of the ampule by applying quick, firm pressure while pointing the ampule away from your body.

• 7

  Discard the gauze and ampule neck in a sharps container.

• 8

  Hold the ampule upside down or place it on a flat surface. When holding the ampule upside down a vacuum will form at the top of the ampule to prevent the liquid from spilling from the ampule.

• 9

  Remove the protective cover from the needle. Insert the filter needle into the center of the ampule opening. Do not allow any part of the needle to touch the rim or bottom of the ampule.

• 10

  Pull back on the plunger to aspirate the medication into the syringe. Keep the tip of the needle below the surface of the liquid.

• 11

  Remove the needle from the ampule to expel aspirated air bubbles. Do not expel any aspirated air into the ampule as you would when withdrawing from a vial because it will cause a break in the vacuum and spill the liquid. Hold the Syringe with the needle pointing up so that the air rises to the top of the syringe. Tap the side of the syringe to move additional air bubbles that have not risen due to positioning. Pull back slightly on the plunger to separate the air from the liquid. Push up on the plunger until the air is expelled through the tip of the needle.

• 12

  Using a "scoop" method, recap the filter needle. The scoop method involves holding the syringe with one hand and sliding the tip of the needle in a cap that is lying on a flat surface. This method allows re-capping and decreases the possibility of an accidental needle stick.

• 13

  Remove the filter needle from the end of the syringe using a twisting motion. Discard the needle in a sharps container.

• 14

  Attach a nonfilter needle to the end of the syringe that you have filled. Leave the protective sheath in place until the medication is going to be used. If using a needle-less administration port, a port that does not require a needle to access, a nonfilter needle does not need to be attached. The syringe should be recapped to prevent the medication from getting contaminated.