Problems with BD Microfine demi 0.3ml syringes

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liewil

Member Since 2012
Hi,
In Belgium and The Netherlands we are having problems with the BD Microfine 0.3ml demi syringes. The scale is sometimes printed too low on the syringe, which makes accurate dosing as good as impossible. We have a complaint with BD, but they are taking their time to respond. I'm just wondering if the same problem occurs in other countries ? We have found it in lot nr 2233194, see photo :
(click to enlarge)
As you can see, a big difference, and these are 2 syringes from the same box ...

Willie
 
Totally. I am in Canada and have the same issue -every batch is different. You could try buying calipers and using them to judge doses on the syringes.

Wendy
 
Try using a sturdy ruler with millimeter markings.
Line 0 mm up to the 0 mark on the syringe.
Count the number of tick marks in a unit or half unit - see if that is consistent and its only the starting or 0 that is malpositioned.

If you know the number of millimeter tick marks per unit or half unit, you can line up 0 with the bottom of the syringe and count the number you need and measure that way.
 
Like the other Wendy, I am also in Canada and get to suffer through the BD inconsistency. I've heard that if you complain, you might get some free syringes.

I use digital calipers to measure the dose. Whether or not it exactly matches the lines on the syringe, I can get consistent dosing. I put one end of the calipers on the end by the plastic ring and measure upwards from there. You should be able to get calipers at hardware/home tool shops. Here's an example of what some people here use.
 
Is the problem as bad with you as in my photo ? There's always a little variation, but with us it's 0.5 unit difference ... And that only happened in this one lot, other lots seem to be fine.
As for using the calipers (learned a new word today) : I'm sure it's very correct and doable if you have to give the same dose for a while, but with my little inconsistent bouncer I would need a calculator as well. For the time being I try to compensate on eye sight, but it's not ideal ofcourse. I really don't understand that such a big quality issue is possible, isn't it important for humans as well to have consistent dosing ?
 
I've measured as much as .5 unit difference on our BD syringes. I'm using Lantus insulin, which likes consistency, so calipers make sense. I have a friend (person) who is on Lantus and her dose is 19 units. 1/2 unit is a pretty small percent for her. I imagine for children it's more of an issue. But people often use R or other short acting insulin at meal times, so it's not the only insulin they are using.
 
Hi Willie,

I'm in the UK and am having exactly the same issue as you. I've only just become aware of this problem because my cat's typical dose has dropped and he is now usually only needing .5 of a unit (he's on a sliding scale). When he was on larger doses I guess it wasn't so vital, but now accuracy is crucial. Yesterday I measured a dose that seemed be .5 of a unit according to the syringe markings, but it just looked 'wrong', so I compared it to other syringes and it was a good .5 of a unit more than the others in the pack. So, the .5 of a unit I was about to give was actually a 'fat' whole unit... My cat has had several unexpected steep drops in BG numbers over the past few weeks (before I was aware of the 'syringe marking' problem) and I wonder if this was the cause...?

I don't have calipers. But I'm going to put some coloured water in a syringe (one where I think the markings are correct, or at least 'typical') at the .5 unit mark, and will use that as a comparison when I get a new syringe out of the pack....


Eliz
 
In the mean time I have sent samples to BD so they can investigate, I'll keep you posted on what they say ...
 
After a lot of waiting, we got an idiotic reply that the syringes were perfect, with photo's of 1 syringe perfectly aligned with their check tool. Which doesn't prove anything, since I sent 4 clearly different syringes to them. Asked for decent proof, no reply yet ...
 
Your best bet is to use calipers and set how much you will give based on caliper width.

Alternatively, get a sturdy ruler with millimeter markings and line it up at the bottom of the barrel; count the number of tick marks you want to use and either measure each one from where it should start, or create a reference syringe that is taped to show the dose you want. Mind you, this won't be an exact number of units per se, but it will be consistent.
 
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