Autoshield pen tip

[fencesitter]

I was surprised to get a letter from our NHS Trust today saying that European Law says that from 13th May 2013, all children using needles in school must use the 'Autoshield' style. Apparently this is to reduce the incidence of needle stick injury ... We have been given a code to order the AutoShield 5mm pen tip, and it also comes in 8mm apparently.

The letter also states that an invitation to access training has been sent to my son's school!! No-one else has ever injected him, not even me, so I imagine they won't be taking that up ...

I'm miffed that we've been asked to change the needle that William uses (4mm) because of this unlikely hazard when the current arrangement suits him just fine, but maybe 5mm isn't such a great change and we should just comply without a fuss ... Anyone else use this kind?

Thanks, Catherine

 

[Casper]

I use 4mm needles, still give me occasional bruises, but otherwise fairly painless. Never heard of an 'autoshield' is this to not offend other who might not like needles?

 

[Lauras87]

I think the world has gone mad!! If schools are anything like mine was when I was diagnosed, they don't want to learn how to inject to prevent being sued.

I know it's all about health & safety but I can't see your son waving his needle about.

At the end of the day, William is the only one who will end up with a needle stick injury as he handles his needles, he may have already had a needle stick injury as its sometimes fiddly with the cap

I have only just started using 5mm, I've not had many bruises or pain from using them compared to my 8mm

 

[fencesitter]

I think I'll just sit on this letter until someone actually approaches me to do something about it 🙂

 

[Hanmillmum]

I'm not sure I would be happy with this, after all, if he is self injecting and used to having his treatment a particular way, why should it be interferred with? It doesn't seem just 😡

Yes, sit well on that letter for now - lol

 

[Highlander]

Hi, I'm using an autoshield pen tip, mine is a My Life Clickfine Autoprotect 8mm
however, I am quite ancient.

The needle is covered by a blue shield, which automatically pushes out of the way when you inject.

After the injection the needle is covered by a close fitting red shield and then the blue shield covers the red one.

All sounds find, except, when you unscrew the needle, small fingers could easily prick themselves on the part of the needle that has come out of the pen. I have pricked myself, and I have big fingers.

If you are used to putting the shield back on the old type of pen needles, why change what you are used to doing.

 

[fencesitter]

Ha ha, doesn't sound like it's foolproof then ... William is good about putting his used needles in a screwtop bottle at school and then transferring them to a sharps bin later. It does seem over the top - perhaps everyone will ignore this but the hospital can at least ticked the box that they've sent us the letter 🙄

 

[Lauras87]

Ha ha, doesn't sound like it's foolproof then ... William is good about putting his used needles in a screwtop bottle at school and then transferring them to a sharps bin later. It does seem over the top - perhaps everyone will ignore this but the hospital can at least ticked the box that they've sent us the letter 🙄

That's a good idea about putting used needles in a bottle.

A question I've wondered, how do they know where your son goes to school?

 

[Tina63]

I was surprised to get a letter from our NHS Trust today saying that European Law says that from 13th May 2013, all children using needles in school must use the 'Autoshield' style. Apparently this is to reduce the incidence of needle stick injury.

So how long until European Law states that shall also be so in the workplace???

 

[Lauras87]

So how long until European Law states that shall also be so in the workplace???

Valid point made but I can't see people jumping on board to do it

 

[fencesitter]

A question I've wondered, how do they know where your son goes to school?

The DSN asked for this info as she wanted to make the offer to visit the school and discuss T1 with staff - as it was, his school at the time had quite a few T1s so they were already fairly well up on it. I'm not sure whether they actually know where he goes to school now 😛

 

[Adrienne]

I was surprised to get a letter from our NHS Trust today saying that European Law says that from 13th May 2013, all children using needles in school must use the 'Autoshield' style. Apparently this is to reduce the incidence of needle stick injury ... We have been given a code to order the AutoShield 5mm pen tip, and it also comes in 8mm apparently.

The letter also states that an invitation to access training has been sent to my son's school!! No-one else has ever injected him, not even me, so I imagine they won't be taking that up ...

I'm miffed that we've been asked to change the needle that William uses (4mm) because of this unlikely hazard when the current arrangement suits him just fine, but maybe 5mm isn't such a great change and we should just comply without a fuss ... Anyone else use this kind?

Thanks, Catherine

Nope how bizarre. Are you on the CWD email list? If not then I'll ask on there and see if anyone has got this letter. Let me know when you have a minute. 🙂

 

[fencesitter]

No I'm not on that list, so it would be v interesting to hear what they have to say. Thanks Adrienne

 

[mickeymum]

I got same letter, prob from same hospital as i live near you (in mk). I have searched internet for this eu law but can only find one that relates to hospital and healthcare workers. Dont think it applies to school staff.