In message <[log in to unmask]>,
Andrew Curphey <[log in to unmask]> writes
>Interesting. Places I have worked in have reused glue tubes. I have never
>tought of it as a problem; glue does not strike me as a decent substrate for
>bugs to grow. I may be very wrong.
We've multi-used tubes of glue for years, never (knowingly) had a
problem with infection. We keep the tube in the fridge and use a clean
sterile orange needle as a micro-dropper for each new patient. No-touch
technique, so no way anything from patient can get in to glue tube. I
would guess that we rarely have a tube last longer than 5 days as we use
it so much and the tube volumes are quite small. I think our pharmacist
and microbiologist have been happy to lend their support to this
procedure, although I wonder if they've actually tested the "sterility"
of the stuff after a few days open in the fridge. Should be easy enough
to check.
Of course the manufacturers will dump any liability they may have if not
single-use, if only to discourage "economical" use of their product.
Dr G Ray
Staff Grade
A&E
Sussex
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