A Huddersfield designer has developed a ‘Lifesaver’ syringe that changes colour to deep red within a minute of removal from its sterile wrapper, to warn that it is not sterile and should not be used.
The syringe is coated with a special paint that turns red once exposed to CO2, but to prevent it from doing that before use the syringe comes packaged in a nitrogen filled bag.
Outwardly, that seems to be a good idea, though the additional cost might be a concern particularly when set against a problem that we believe is unlikely to arise in the developed world.
But the syringe is aimed at resource poor regions where the scourge of syringe re-use contributed greatly to disease transmission.
So, will the ‘Lifesaver’ syringe make a difference?
It is expected to break the cycle of recovery of used syringes, by scavengers or by more organised criminal gangs who ply their trade in used syringes sold back to corrupt healthcare providers.
It sounds good, but there are several underlying problems. In resource-poor regions, an unsafe injection can be preferred over no injection at all. The decision is a tough one, that few of us will ever truly comprehend since thankfully we will never experience. And we cannot pretend that healthcare professionals are not part of the problem, saving used syringes to sell off to ‘recyclers’ who repackage and resell used syringes. Like all fake goods, the packaging errors makes it quite plain that most reused syringes are indeed unsafe and must not be reused. The signs are obvious and it takes a particular belligerence, or stupidity, to overlook these signs and proceed with an unsafe injection. But for healthcare professionals too, the choice is a tough one, to do something or to do nothing when caring for a patient in need.
Of course, in the face of unprofessional healthcare professionals who may decide to go ahead with a previously used syringe, the patient may say No. But that is unlikely, since firstly they may be desperate for treatment at any cost, and be unaware of the significance of the red hazard warning.
Someone will have to fund the extra cost of 100% safe syringes, of ordinary syringes let alone premium indicator syringes. And education. And professional standards that will change the current acceptance of unsafe injection equipment. And the larger public health implications that ensure governments will fund safe care for their communities, with a significant criminal and/or professional penalty for all of those involved in this reprehensible trade at whatever level.
Somehow, I doubt a fancy red syringe can make a significant difference. Nonetheless, it seems like a good, if unworkable, concept, and if it saves just one unsafe injection it will have some value.