This week we have been giving each other injections as part of our training as x-ray technicians/medical assistants.  We have to learn about the different sized of syringes and needles and what size you use for different types of shots.  Then we practice giving shots to hot dogs and oranges.  Next we move up to each other and give each other injections.  We are injecting each other with an isotonic saline solution so it should not burn and all it does is hydrate the issues that are injected.  I took 5 or 6 subdermal injections in my forearms.  These are just under the skin and the type of shot you would get to test for allergies or TB.  Then I got 4 or 5 subcutaneous in my deltoid area of my right and left arms.

Well, we find out that some idiot instructor from another class filled our vials of saline solution with tap water and that their class was sticking their needles into the hot dogs and oranges and then back into the vials of water that were marked as saline solution.  Then put the vials back in the supply cabinet and did not tell anyone what they did.  So we all injected with tap water contaminated with hot dog and oranges and not a sterile, isotonic, saline solution.  I have one infected injection site on my left forearm and both deltoid areas are soar.  We all had to go to the doctor and are on 1000 mg of antibiotics a day for 10 days and had to get tetanus shots.  People started not feeling well so we were sent home from class yesterday after we visited the doctor and got our antibiotics.  Class was canceled for us today and we are off on Monday.  My arms are sore and one of the subdermals got infected.  I have had a headache and been a little under the weather but it’s going to be fine.

However, how stupid was the person that filled saline vials with tap water and let their students reuse the same needles and syringes for practice on food and then put the vials back in the supplies where anyone else would think it was a clean saline solution.  I don’t know who it was but that person should be fired.  In my class we filled our syringes with multiple shots at a time and then injected the food several times then disposed of them and used fresh new ones, the way it’s supposed to be done.  So I know it was not my instructor.  Anyway…off for a nap.