ReliOn Syringes mismarked too?

[eileen]

Last night as I was attempting to measure out 1/4u of Humalog for Mildred I discovered that the syringe I had in hand had it's first line down about what appears to be 1/4 to 1/2 unit from the top.

Since I have such a spare supply of Humalog in my vial that gets discarded every 2 months I decided to 'play' with a few of the syringes. I fillied to that first line, shaking off any insulin left on the tip of the needle then injecting into the air seeing insulin squirting out where there should be none.

Not every syringe had this problem, I probably looked at half a dozen with 2 being a good 1/2u off, 1 being a little less.

In all of the years I've used these syringes I've never noticed this as being an issue. That's not to say it hasn't, just maybe never crossed my mind to pay close attention until now with the BD syringes being discussed.

Can't help but wonder how this has played into Mildred's past readings, and for how long?!

[Patty]

I'm not liking this acceptable degree of error the companies have :o.

[eileen]

I'm not liking this acceptable degree of error the companies have :o.

My exact thoughts too, Patty.

[Noodle]

I've had the same issue with the Walgreen's branded syringes. I think it may very well be a universal issue. I also wondered if only one or two places perhaps manufacturer the syringes for multiple companies, then just brand them with that companies name. That would certainly explain the consistency...of the inconsistency. ;)

[CarolW]

Maybe you're right; Noodle - it wouldn't surprise me if onc place manufactured the syringes for different companies.

It's REALLY scary to think of measuring Humalog or Novolog in a syringe that adds an extra half-unit, or even quarter-unit, to your measured dose!

Thanks for doing that checking, Eileen!

I'd guess the makers (and sellers and re-sellers) of the syringes simply think in human terms - of "large" doses - compared to what we'd inject into a small animal; I don't know how many human (small) babies would be receiving insulin injections.

So maybe there wouldn't be much motivation for the manufacturer to fix a problem with markings. With this possible exception - maybe we could create such a motivation, by raising a hue and cry.

The hue should be very sickly green with pink and purple polka-dots. The cry should be loud, agonizing, and endless, placed carefully exactly at the ear of the manufacturer.

Think we're up to creating such a complaint? So many people love small animals, we might get large forces marshaled behind us!

Sat, 5 Jun 2010 01:42:41(PDT)