J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2007 May;14(2):166-172.

The Factors Influencing Glass Particles in Single Dose Glass Ampules upon Opening

• Song JY
• Kim DH

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing glass particle contamination in single dose glass ampules upon opening. METHOD: The study was single case experimental design. Different methods of opening ampule (hand, wooden stick), different sizes of ampules(1cc, 2cc) and different sizes of needles(17gauge, 23gauge, 5micrometer filter) were evaluated. Eighteen ampules were randomly assigned in each group. The number of glass ampule particles > or =10micrometer was counted by microscope.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the number of particles aspirated by opening methods. But number of glass particles was much lower when using 1cc ampules rather than 2cc ampules and was also much lower when using smaller size needles and needles which include a 5micrometer filter rather than larger size of needles.
CONCLUSION
We suggest that larger bore or unfiltered needles increase the risk of aspirating more glass particles than smaller bore or filter needles. In addition, these data show that a wooden stick can be used as a method opening glass ampules.

Keyword

Ampule; Glass particle; Contamination

MeSH Terms

Glass*
Needles
Research Design