Vein Care & Safer Vein Care & Safer Injection TipsInjection Tips

Sanjay Kumar KulchaniaSanjay Kumar Kulchania

(LECTURER)(LECTURER)

GURU NANAK COLLEGE OF GURU NANAK COLLEGE OF NURSING ,DHAHAN KALERANNURSING ,DHAHAN KALERAN

Vein Care & Safer Vein Care & Safer Injection TipsInjection Tips

For For people people

who who work work with with

injection injection drug drug

usersusers

Expectations and HopesExpectations and Hopes

Provide accurate informationProvide accurate information

Improve knowledgeImprove knowledge

Increase comfort Increase comfort

Create opportunity to decrease Create opportunity to decrease shame and stigmashame and stigma

Encourage in-depth conversationEncourage in-depth conversation

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

What is What is Vein Care?Vein Care?

How the circulatory system worksHow the circulatory system works

Injection risksInjection risks

Tips for injectors to minimize Tips for injectors to minimize damagedamage

Vein Care AssistanceVein Care Assistance

Questions?Questions?

What is What is Vein Care?Vein Care?

Vein Care aims to decrease the damage one does to their veins by

injecting drugs through education and counseling. Thereby reducing their

chances of becoming infected with or passing on various communicable

diseases.

“...Vein Care is not meant to be prescriptive or exhaustive about the practice of injection, merely a beginning to what is a bountiful set of options for improvement and a tool for overcoming the damage caused by silence and

shame around injection.”

Chicago Recovery Alliance Website: www.anypositivechange.org

Disclaimer...Disclaimer...

Aid in the prevention of Abscesses, Aid in the prevention of Abscesses, Cellulitis and other skin/soft tissue Cellulitis and other skin/soft tissue infections caused by improper infections caused by improper injection.injection.

Goals of Vein Care CounselingGoals of Vein Care Counseling

Give clients the knowledge and power Give clients the knowledge and power to pass on to other injectors.to pass on to other injectors.

A strong, muscular pump(a little larger than a fist) that pumps blood continuously through the circulatory system.

All-in-VeinAll-in-VeinBlood VesselsBlood Vessels are soft, elastic tubes such as arteries, veins and capillaries in the cardiovascular system

VeinsVeins are made of several thin layers of muscle tissue; they carry blood to the heart, then is pumped to the lungs so oxygen can be replenished, and sent back to the heart to be pumped into general circulation in arteriesarteries

VeinsVeins carry carry

blood from blood from various various parts of parts of the body the body back to back to

the heartthe heart

ArteriesArteries carry blood carry blood away from away from the heart.the heart.

ArteriesArteries vs.vs. VeinsVeins

What is a Vein Valve?What is a Vein Valve?Valves are flaps of tissue in veins that help bring the blood back up to the heart, by acting as a one-way door. Valves are found along the length of the vein. Injecting into a valve is the most common reason for missing a hit or collapsing a vein or not getting a “flag”

Abnormal Valves...Abnormal Valves...

““RopyRopy””

Why Should I Use a “Tie?”Why Should I Use a “Tie?”

Using a tourniquet makes the veins on

the surface get bigger, and easier

to hit!

•Be careful not to tie the tourniquet too tight...it actually works against you because it stops the blood from getting in.

•Using a Tie regularly helps keep your veins flexible and in good shape, thus making less scar tissue. Exercise those veins!

Dilute your Dope!Dilute your Dope!

More Dilute = Happier VeinsMore Dilute = Happier Veins

Where Should I Inject?Where Should I Inject?

OK!OK!

SAFER!SAFER!

Arms are Arms are best- easier best- easier

access = safer access = safer injectioninjection

Proper TechniqueProper Technique

NeedleNeedle positionposition•Make sure the Bevel of the needle is up.Make sure the Bevel of the needle is up.•Position the needle at a 30-45° angle Position the needle at a 30-45° angle (depends on how deep the vein is.)(depends on how deep the vein is.)•Align the syringe with vein.Align the syringe with vein.•Follow the natural blood flow of the vein.Follow the natural blood flow of the vein.

•Inserting the needle through the vein.Inserting the needle through the vein.

•Injecting without releasing the tourniquetInjecting without releasing the tourniquetor not using one at all.or not using one at all.

•Injecting in the vein against the flow of blood.Injecting in the vein against the flow of blood.

Common Mistakes & Poor Injection Common Mistakes & Poor Injection Habits:Habits:

Deep Vein ThrombosisDeep Vein Thrombosis

Thrombosis is the clotting of blood in an artery or

vein resulting in partial or complete blockage of

blood circulation in the affected area.

•Repeated injecting may cause inflammation of the vein which may lead to Deep Vein Thrombosis.

•The secondary risk of DVT is a piece of the clot breaks off (embolism) and blocks a blood vessel further along which may lead to stroke or pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs.)

Risks of hitting a nerve?Risks of hitting a nerve?

If you hit a nerve pull out and apply If you hit a nerve pull out and apply pressure,pressure,

then then seek medical attentionseek medical attention right right away!away!

Hitting a nerve can cause permanent nerveHitting a nerve can cause permanent nervedamage which can lead to complete ordamage which can lead to complete orpartial paralysis of the affected area.partial paralysis of the affected area.

You will know that you hit a nerve if you You will know that you hit a nerve if you feel “electric” pain orfeel “electric” pain or

involuntary movement (reflex).involuntary movement (reflex).

Risky Injection SpotsRisky Injection Spots

VERYVERYRISKY!RISKY!

TORSOTORSO

More likely to permanently damage lymph vessels or nodes.

RISKY!RISKY!

NECKNECK

Injecting in the veins in your neck can cause deadly infections in the brain. Arteries and Nerves travel very close to the veins in your neck.

Using the veins in your Using the veins in your feet, legs or groin, feet, legs or groin, increases your risk for increases your risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood-clots) causing (blood-clots) causing blockage to vital areas in blockage to vital areas in the body, as the blood the body, as the blood returns back to the heartreturns back to the heart..

GROIN GROIN (Femoral (Femoral v.)v.)

FEETFEETLEGSLEGS

CHESTCHEST

What if I hit an artery?What if I hit an artery?

If you hit an artery,If you hit an artery, pull outpull out and putand put direct direct pressurepressure on it for at leaston it for at least 20 minutes 20 minutes (use tape and (use tape and

gauze if you have it)gauze if you have it)..If the bleeding does not stop,If the bleeding does not stop,

ggo to the o to the Emergency RoomEmergency Room right away. right away.

Avoid Abscesses!!!Avoid Abscesses!!!

Always wash your hands (and injection site if possible)Always wash your hands (and injection site if possible)with warm soapy water.with warm soapy water.

Use a new syringe every time you inject.Use a new syringe every time you inject.

Use an alcohol pad to move the dirt and germs awayUse an alcohol pad to move the dirt and germs awayfrom the injection site by moving it outwardfrom the injection site by moving it outward

in a circular fashion from the center.in a circular fashion from the center.

Abscess is an infection under the skin caused byAbscess is an infection under the skin caused bythe needle pushing the bacteria through the skin.the needle pushing the bacteria through the skin.

Apply firm, steady pressure after the injection.Apply firm, steady pressure after the injection.Use a band aid or tape & gauze if you have it.Use a band aid or tape & gauze if you have it.

Talk to the Needle Exchange Vein Care Specialist!2nd & 4th Tuesday every month, here at the Downtown Needle Exchange

Whip thosetroublesomeveins into shape!

See Jason,See Jason,Vein CareVein Care

SpecialistSpecialist

EveryEvery

WednesdayWednesday

Vein Care Workshops at the Vein Care Workshops at the Downtown Needle ExchangeDowntown Needle Exchange

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS??