Injectable medications: self-reported practices of nursing professionals

Abstract

Objective: To identify the self-reported injectable medications of nursing professionals in the state of São Paulo. Method: Survey study that assessed the self-reported frequency of injection medications through a validated electronic questionnaire, applied from September to December 2017. Results: The 1,295 computed responses showed non-compliances such as sharing multidose vials for two or more patients (10.8%), reusing single-use supplies, such as use of saline flush syringes for different patients (1.2%) and needle recapping after use (4.9%). Greater adherence to glove use for administration of intravenous injections (80.5%) and lack of training for handling safety devices (13%) were reported. Correlational data showed that, the older the age, the better the self-reported injecting practices. Conclusion: Although most practices are within Safe Injecting practices, there are reports of risky practices, such as sharing single-use supplies. Training for the use of safety devices is not yet a reality for all professionals, since many reported it as rare.