Nylon Sleeves to Protect Dialysis Tubing

Abstract

To the Editor:— It is common practice for nurses and dialysis personnel to take blood samples from a plastic tubing by sticking a needle in it. Unfortunately, the needle easily goes all the way through the tube (Figure). I know of incidents where the technicians have stuck their fingers, upper legs, or knees, whatever supported the tubing. Hepatitis has followed this self-inflicted inoculation. Disposable syringes are now packaged in individual nylon tubes or holders. Part of such a nylon tube can be cut open and act as a protective sleeve. It is a rule now in our dialysis department that the rubber sampling tubes in the blood lines of the artificial kidney must be provided with the protective sleeves. It is impossible to perforate them with an ordinary needle.