Undoubtedly there is a growing awareness of the veterinary workplace safety implications of using so many sharps, including needles. As a consequence, their widespread use in practice is slowly shifting, to lessen risks and reduce sharps waste – a trend that began long ago in human medicine.

Let’s take a quick look at why you should consider this change in your practice.

The avoidance of needle-stick injuries is the obvious motivation, but there are other productivity benefits from using needle-free ports within your IV fluid administration protocol.

One of the commonly used devices you may be familiar with is the T-Connector. This short extension set is attached to the IV cannula and the free end is used to connect the patient to an IV line. This approach is easier and more practical than attachment of the IV line or long extension line directly to the cannula – especially for smaller patients. GVP T-Connectors feature micro-bore tubing to reduce dead space and priming volume.

Our T-Connectors come with either a removable injection port, or a disposable cap on the free end. If you routinely buy the GVP one in a purple packet, this has the injection port. The green one has a disposable cap.

In either case, to attach the IV line you’ll need to remove this port or cap. Since you may wish to later disconnect the patient from IV fluids, it’s wise to keep the detached port/cap in a sterile state by attaching it to a clean needle cap or other form of sterile device you have handy.

As you may know, it’s easy to drop or lose the port in the process. So, if a patient is detached and reattached throughout their stay (taken out for a wee, or to surgery, etc) you might find yourself opening a few new packets of ports to re-seal the line. At other times, you might wish to flush the T-Connector or medicate the patient using the needle-port. That’s fine, but you’ll use a new needle each time.

By using a GVP needle-free injection port you will simplify the work-flow.

In place of the regular port, simply attach the blue IVPLGNF port. You’ll now be able to easily flush or dose directly into the T-Connector from your syringe, without use of a needle.

And best of all, you can leave the port attached for the entire period of cannulation.

You can also directly attach the IV line, without removing the port – the IV line will lock onto the external thread. By avoiding the need to remove ports and cap IV lines, you reduce the risk of contamination. It’s also a lot easier and quicker to connect and disconnect your patient throughout their hospitalisation.

For more help in getting the most from GVP products simply call or email us.

An everyday task for most busy veterinary practices is loading syringes with saline or other IV fluids to enable flushing of IV lines and cannulas.

Traditionally, this has involved accessing a spare fluid bag with an 18G needle and syringe. If you commonly do the same, do any of these issues sound familiar?

Our nifty GVP Transfer Spike is the needle-free solution to all these problems. With a spike at one end, it inserts into the same port as you would normally place the IV administration set. Then, simply attach any luer-tip syringe directly to the blue port.

Staying there for the life of the bag, this handy device allows you to quicky, easily and safely load a flushing syringe. You’ll reduce sharps usage and avoid needle-stick injuries. You will also find the syringes load quickly with minimal bubbles, saving time. And no more dripping bags!

Remember to use good aseptic technique – by swabbing the port before use and responsibly disposing of the bag and device once the bag is consumed, or within one week.

And finally, as with all needle-free accessories – make sure you inform any of your team members who are unfamiliar, never to insert a needle into the blue port.