In: Nursing
why do the needles have different color tops?
It is very important to differentiate proper needle size before starting an intravenous therapy. needles are sized by gauges, and as the gauge increase, smaller the needle will be.Nurse may find it difficult to spot the different sized gauges. so, here colour of needle hub plays a vital role.
example: 22 is blue and 18 is green.importance of selecting right gauge is because some procedures can only be done with a particular sized needle. Procedures like blood transfusion need 16 gauge needle.
16 gauge
mainly used in ICU and surgical area for blood transfusion, rapid fluid administration and so on
18 gauge
same use as 16 gauge, but more painful to patients.
20 gauge
also used for blood transfusion, if patients vein is smaller.
22 gauge
used in patients who are not critically ill.
24 gauge
mainly used for paediatric cases and those patient with thin veins
usage of needles may change according to hospital protocol
New world wide ISO colour standards (BD)
30 G- yellow
27 G- grey
26 G-brown
25 G-orange
23 G- blue
22 G- black
21 G-green
18 G- pink