Needle exchange programs CMAJ 1997;157:1199 See response from: M. Gold et al The thing that bothers me about articles on needle exchange programs, such as the one by Michelle Gold and associates ("Needle exchange programs: an economic evaluation of a local experience," CMAJ 1997;157[3]:255-62 [full text / résumé]), is that they mention only in passing the syringe that is used. Surely the barrel must also become contaminated when the plunger is drawn back to see if the needle is in a vein. The role of syringes in transmitting infection was investigated almost 50 years ago.1,2 It was later shown that even the slight vacuum caused by removal of the needle resulted in infected material backing up into the syringe,3 and a "one-way valve" needle was suggested to correct the problem.4 James H. Battershill, MD Vancouver, BC References Hughes RR. Post-penicillin jaundice. BMJ 1946;2:685-88. Fleming A, Ogilvie RC. Syringe needles and mass inoculation technique. BMJ 1951;1:543-8. Evans RJ, Spooner ET. A possible mode of transfer of infection by syringes used for mass inoculation. BMJ 1950;2:185-8. Gispen R. A one-way valve for multiple injections from one syringe [letter]. Lancet 1952;2:171-2. Send a letter to the editor responding to this letter Envoyez une lettre à la rédaction au sujet de cette lettre | CMAJ November 1, 1997 (vol 157, no 9) / JAMC le 1er novembre 1997 (vol 157, no 9) |