To expect better practice?

[27Bananas]

I have B12 injections every 3 months. The nurse always usually opens up a sterile needle and draws the B12 up in front of me. About 6 months ago, I went in and saw a new nurse. When he called me in, everything was already open, packaging discarded and he just took the lid off and injected me. I felt quite uncomfortable that I hadn't seen any of it being prepared, but assumed that it was just a one off. The next time I had one of the usual nurses and it was all prepared infront of me.

Today I was supposed to have an ECG, blood pressure and b12. I requested a female nurse as for this appointment as it involved removing all of my top half and I am very large breasted. I want to add that I have nothing against male practitioners.

However, the male nurse who I'd felt uncomfortable with previously called me in and told female nurse had had to leave unexpectedly. I asked to reschedule the ECG but to still have my blood pressure and b12 done. He asked me to give him 5 minutes whilst he got everything ready and then when I went in, it was already set up again. No packaging in site etc. He just took the lid off and injected me. Now for anyone who normally has b12 jabs, you will know the liquid is dark orange and it's quite painful to inject. This time it looked lighter and he injected it quite quickly and it didn't feel at all painful at all. I am more than willing to admit that I may be paranoid in this respect, but it highlights the fact that because I didn't see him open everything and draw up in front of me, I am left feeling anxious about it all.

I spoke to my husband who encouraged me to speak to the surgery, so I went back in and spoke to the reception manager. I didn't make a complaint, but I said I felt concerned about the procedure not being carried out in front of the patient and it has left me feeling unsafe. She said she would look into and get back to me.

The point of my post is to try and establish whether this would make others feel uncomfortable and whether there is infact any guidance around procedures and good practice in this regard?

I would question this too

I see where you are coming from. I’ve done both preparing before the patient comes in gives you a chance to prep and check the meds without distractions or interruptions although leaves the risk that after the initial consultation you don’t end up giving the drug and wasting it (less likely with b12). Preparing when the patient is in the room once you confident that you are going to administer means no wastage but means the apt may take longer (we only get 10mins per appt inc notes. You wouldn’t see drugs being prepped prior to administration in hospital either.

Do you think he injected you with something else?

Did you ask him to see the vial or what was in the syringe prior?

I'm honestly not sure why you wouldn't trust that it's was vit b 12 in the syringe

I don’t work in a GP but in a hospital and we wouldn’t ever draw up and prepare anything for injection in front of the patient, it’s all done in the IV prep room.

Maybe the male nurse prefers to prepare it before calling the patient in, and to get rid of all the rubbish.

Maybe mn nurses can advise what the standard practice is.

I really wouldn’t even have considered this to be something to worry about. It wouldn’t bother me at all.
What is it that concerns you??
Personally, your response feels irrational.
All you can do is find out if this is considered normal practice and go from there.
The only reason I’d expect to have to watch them set up was if they’re really tight for time.

I once had a jab which previously stung but I didn't even feel the needle (never happened), I also questioned it but clearly was being paranoid! I was obviously injected with the same stuff.

I honestly can't remember if I saw them draw it up or not when I used to have b12 injections. Agree it's dark orange, almost red, and stings like mad unless done really really slowly though. Does sound odd that it looked different and didn't sting.

Did he actually send you back out of the room while he drew it up, that's what I think you said? That's quite odd.

I have B12 injections and there is the occasional injection that doesn’t sting. Mine is always prepared in front of me though.

It's really not unusual for things to have been prepared beforehand. What would you do if you were having surgery and under GA when being treated?
I've had a fair amount of medical treatment and it just varies from time to time, I wouldn't give it a second thought. It sounds like you don't feel comfortable or don't like the male nurse so are overthinking it.

In fact thinking about it, it had to be dispensed by the on site pharmacy when I had it and they didn't get it in advance in case I didn't turn up/didn't have it for some reason. It wasn't something that was just kicking about in the nurses room. They'd always have it with a dispensary label on, and would check with me what I was there for, and check the vial against the computer screen, before drawing it up. So yes, I'd always see them do it.

I hope for your sake that you are being paranoid because those jabs are hard work and v ouchy. My 'injectors' always draw up in front of me. YANBU

It concerns me that that for years, regardless of who I have had giving me injections, that I have always seen them do everything in the room in front of me. The two times I had this nurse, I have seen none of the process, no opening of a sterile needle and no drawing up of the b12. I have never consciously thought about this before until I entered the room and it was already done. In my gut, it felt odd. Again, I accept it may be acceptable practice, but certainly not my usual experience, which is why I'm asking.

I have to bring my own b12 with me - collect from the pharmacy

but it has never been painful

I don't know why you're so paranoid. Do you think they're using used needles or injecting you with something else If you are uncomfortable, just say something

He came out and called me to go in, but when I asked him if he could still do the b12 now and reschedule the ECG, he asked me to wait 5 minutes whilst he got it ready. He rescheduled the appointment in the room with me after the injections, so it wasn't this. The b12 vial was empty next to the needle, but all packaging was gone, the liquid was in the needle and imo looked lighter than usual. It didn't sting at all and wasn't done slowly. These are my observations and feelings. It may all be legit.

This would not bother me at all. But it bothers you, so please speak to the practice about it

I have said something. I wanted to know whether it is good practice to open needles and draw up in front of the patient, or whether it is normal to do it the way it was done. I might be paranoid, but I think it would be wrong to not ask questions to establish whether that is the case.

Is this at your GP surgery?

If so, they follow annt procedures to maintain as much sterility as possible.

Also, the drug and dose will be checked by a second registered practitioner.

This wouldn't concern me at all. However, I'd happily explain if a patient asked me.

I wouldn’t like it either. I’ve been known to double-check with the nurse whilst peering at the label before.

So the b12 vial was next to the needle?

I draw it up in front of the patient, my colleague doesn't. We've both been qualified over thirty years.
B12 isn't double checked with another qualified practitioner. Our HCA's give it unsupervised.
Not sure what you're thinking might be the problem.

Thanks - it's good to hear this is normal.

If I was having a GA, I would presume that there would be other members of staff present? That said, I'm asking because his practice was different to that of others and I felt uncomfortable.

Seriously? You are paranoid! What exactly do you think he is doing with it?

Thank you, this is helpful to know.

I didn't know whether it is good practice to open the sterile needle and draw up in front of the patient. I would have assumed it would have been, but seems that this isn't necessarily the case.