How to Sterilize Lancets
Lancets are small stainless steel needles, often used with a spring loaded lancing device, that puncture the skin to obtain a small blood drop used for diabetic blood testing. Lancet manufacturers suggest replacing a lancet with every skin prick. Re-using lancets can cause the needle to become dull, painful and ineffective. Sterilization techniques from the Center for Disease Control can be used on stainless steel needles, such as lancets.
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Instructions
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Remove the lancet from the lancet device after it has been used. New lancets prior to use are sterile and do not need to be sterilized.
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Grip the plastic end of the lancet with tweezers and run the needle of the lancet under running water to remove any blood or debris.
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3
Using the tweezers, place the lancet into a small container and fill the container with enough bleach to cover the lancet entirely.
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Allow the lancet to remain in the bleach for at least 30 seconds to kill pathogens.
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Remove the lancet from the bleach using tweezers. Place the lancet under running water to rinse away the bleach.
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Allow the lancet to air dry without touching any surface that may be contaminated. Replace the lancet into the lancing device.
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Tips & Warnings
Cleaning the skin before puncturing with a lancet is important to keep bacteria from entering the body. Use an alcohol wipe to swab the area to be punctured and allow it to air dry before using the lancet.
Re-using a lancet, even a sterilized lancet, is not as safe as using a new, sterile lancet. Lancets are manufactured to be used one time. There is a lubricating coating found on new lancets that can not be replicated after a lancet has been used, so additional needle sticks may be less comfortable and smooth than the first. Re-using a lancet can cause pain from the dulled needle, and sterilization techniques can worsen dulling.
