Reutilization of disposable syringes: frequency and costs for the administration of insulin at home

Abstract

The present survey has the purpose to analyze the frequency and costs of the re-utilization of disposable syringes for insulin administration at home. One hundred and thirteen patients with diabetes assisted by a public hospital in a city in the interior São Paulo State, Brazil, were interviewed. The findings showed that regarding the studied population, the frequency of needles re-utilization varied from 1 to 20 times, and syringes re-utilization from 1 to 60 times. The greatest frequencies in the use of the same syringe or needle were of four times followed by three times. Re-utilizing the same syringe four times resulted in a cost reduction of 74.68%. The results pointed out the need for a legislation review as well as for new studies on the risks and benefits arising from this practice.