Aseptic Techniques - Using a Syringe and Needle

1. Select an appropriate size of syringe that is large enough to contain the volume of solution desired. Usually syringe volumes greater than the volume that will be withdrawn are selected - for example, a 10 mL syringe for a 6 mL withdrawl of drug solution.

2. Inspect the integrity of the outer wrap for defects such as pin holes or tears or breaks in the wrap.

3. At the edge of the hood (in the six inch supply staging area) peel back the paper on the syringe (or remove the syringe from a plastic container) and place the syringe in the hood. Do not push the syringe through the paper wrap, as tearing the paper generates unwanted particles.

A wrapped sterile needle is selected. Often a handy length for drug transfers is 1 inch to 1.5 inches. The diameter is expressed in unit of a gauge. In the gauge scale the higher the number the smaller the needle diameter. Consider 18 to 21 gauge needles for small volume tasks.

4. Peel back the paper tabs while not touching the needle hub and holding the exposed needle in the laminar flow air.

5. Holding back the paper, hold the needle in the vertical position

in the laminar flow air.