|
No. All sites providing injectable contraceptives should follow basic infection prevention measures, including:
- sterilizing needles and syringes (single use, disposable needles and syringes are preferred);
- taking precautions to avoid sticking oneself or others with a used needle;
- cleaning injection site; and
- decontaminating reusable needles/syringes, and safely disposing of single-use needles/syringes.
|
Administering an injectable steroid contraceptive is an invasive procedure. Because an injection penetrates the protective skin barrier, the skin should be clean and the needle preferably sterile (high-level disinfection is acceptable).
A major concern is the increasing problem of transmission of hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to clients, health care providers and clinic staff, especially cleaning and housekeeping personnel. To minimize this risk, whenever possible, single-use (disposable) needles and syringes should be used. If reusable needles and syringes must be used, they should be decontaminated immediately after use by soaking in 0.5% chlorine solution or other locally available and approved disinfectant, then sterilized. If sterilization of reusable needles and syringes is impossible, high-level disinfection (HLD) - if correctly executed - may be used. These practices, when combined with the proper disposal of single-use needles and syringes, protect clinic staff, especially cleaning and housekeeping personnel, from contracting hepatitis B or HIV following accidental needle sticks.
- Tietjen L, Cronin W, McIntosh N. Infection prevention for family planning service programs: a problem-solving reference manual. Durant, OK: Essential Medical Information Systems, Inc., 1992.
|
