Recapping

Metal stand (solid metal). The empty protective cap of the syringe is inserted into the hole. After use, the syringe is put back on the cap with one hand. The metal stand is usually on the table. It's only in your hand for this photo.

With recapping ( engl .: back cover ) is referred to in the medical field that replacing the cap on the needle of a syringe or a cannula after use.

Because of the risk of needlestick injuries and their consequences (possible infections among medical staff - especially hepatitis, also HIV), this procedure is usually prohibited by the internal hygiene regulations of a hospital . Instead, the syringe and needle should be disposed of directly in a disposal container provided for this purpose .

Biological Agents Ordinance

At the end of July 2013, a new version of the Biological Agents Ordinance came into force. Above all, employees in the health service should be better protected against the risk of infection from stab wounds and cuts. According to § 10 BioStoffV , used pointed and sharp work equipment, including injection needles or scalpels, must be safely disposed of. The reason for the new version was the necessary implementation of the EU needle stick directive from 2010 in national law. In detail, the regulation provides:

• Establish and use safe procedures for handling and disposing of sharp medical instruments and contaminated waste.
• Introduction of appropriate disposal procedures as well as clearly marked and technically safe containers for the disposal of sharp / pointed medical instruments and injection devices.
• Avoidance or restriction of the unnecessary use of sharp / pointed instruments.
• Provision and use of medical instruments with integrated security and protection mechanisms.
• Prohibition of recapping.

Special case of dental practices

The " Technical Rules for Biological Agents " (TRBA 250), under point 4.2.5 number 5, explicitly describe one-handed recapping as a safe procedure in the context of TRBA 250 for dentistry in the field of local anesthesia. One -handed recapping is therefore in Germany in dental practices authorized. This means that after the injection, the injection needle can be reinserted into the protective cover with one hand, provided the other hand is not in the vicinity of the protective cover. For example, a protective cap holder can be used to ensure a safe distance when recapping. Injection cannulas must also not be bent or kinked, unless this manipulation is used to activate an integrated protective device.

Austria

In Austria, the Federal Ministry of Health's needle prick ordinance came into force in May 2013 . This prohibits the re-fitting of protective caps on used needles. Recapping is also prohibited by law in some US states.

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1. ↑ Biological Agents Ordinance
2. ↑ TRBA 250 Biological agents in health and welfare work. (PDF) Status: May 2, 2018, Committee for Biological Agents (ABAS), Item 4.2.5, Item 5. Accessed on August 21, 2019.
3. ↑ Needlestick injury according to TRBA 250 ( memento of the original from July 15, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
4. ↑ Needle Prick Ordinance NastV §4 Paragraph 2, No. 2 [1]

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !

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