BD Syringes quality control complaint

[MJW]

As requested (@Sarah Mc ) I phoned BD to complain about their insulin syringes. I've adjusted to their crooked and shifted scales by using calipers, but I can't compensate for the varying placement of the lip ("needle hub") on the syringe "barrel". I have to throw the outlier syringes away.

I found it very difficult to communicate the issues to them on the phone. They will send me a kit so that I can mail problem syringes back to their lab. I doubt anything will change. I did get a free box of needles. Also, they told me they make special syringes for pets. I haven't seen these on their website, but I might look again. No one here has ever mentioned them. Probably they are twice as expensive. Why would pets need different syringes---would they be more accurate?

 

[CassAndGordy(GA)]

I think the needle length is different for pet versions. And its possible that they were referring to the u40 needles (Vetsulin).

I have a stash of BD but I really didnt like them. The weird base of needle that bumps out made it very difficult for me to use calipers.

 

[Jan Radar (GA)]

I stopped using BD syringes a long time ago because of their poor quality. I like Sure Comfort much better.

 

[MrWorfMen's Mom]

I had a couple of boxes of BD syringes that had a few duds in them. My issue happened when taking the cap off the needle to draw up insulin. The WHOLE needle portion came off the syringe barrel with the cap. Had 5 or 6 needles do this. Scary stuff that made me start checking the needles were solidly fastened to the barrel before using the syringes. Unfortunately here in Canada, at least in my area, it's impossible to find any other brand!

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

I tried the BD syringes when I was "auditioning" quite a few brands after the wonderful Terumo syringes were discontinued. I found the BDs to have very sticky plungers and bubbles that were impossible to expel. Also, I didn't like the "hub" at the base of the needle (too difficult to use with calipers).
After weeks of frustration, I finally settled on the Monoject syringes. Although there is a problem with the hollow "cone" (some insulin can get into it and make the dose larger than intended; see my Google doc), they have really good lines, and the lines are thin, so you can actually see what you are doing. Also, if you push the plunger all the way in, hold it in tight and "pump" it 2 or 3 times before drawing insulin, you can almost always avoid bubbles. I am having problems measuring Rusty's tiny dose (which is 0.10 of a Unit: 0.15mm on the digital calipers), but anyone measuring a "normal" -size dose should be pleased with the Monojects (3/10 cc; 31 gauge; 5/16'' needle). You can compensate for any insulin that might get into the "cone". ADW has a good price.

 

[MJW]

And recently the BD plunger covers are on so tight, when I pull them off the plunger comes out and falls to the floor, becoming contaminated.

 

[Adrian and Chino]

I never used BD syringes, but I tried Carepoint before finding these Ulti-Care U-100 Half Unit syringes and they are FAR superior. I almost never get bubbles when using these. I have calipers but when I measured 1 unit on a handful of syringes, got very consistent measurements, multiplied the value by Chino's dose at the time, then measured it against each syringe, I got exactly the right dose at the corresponding mark on the barrel, so I don't have to use calipers to measure his dose. They're a little more expensive than others, since there are only 60 syringes in a box, but the accuracy and ease of use justifies the expense.