Why do lancets have an expiry date?

[MikeSA]

Why is it that lancets also have an expiry date? Surely, if not used before expiry date, nothing adverse could possibly result?

Right now I am using expired lancets from a box I happen to find lying around? I am able to obtain a blood sample and I cannot feel that there is anything wrong with the lancets. It really eludes logical comprehension that manufacturers stipulate an expiry date? But is there a justifiable reason not to use expired lancets?

 

[Squire Fulwood]

It's probably so you'll throw them away and buy new ones. When I have used all of mine I put them in a steamer and then start using them again.

 

[psignathus]

It's just to make money....they make nothing from me I've not changed a lancet in over a month lol.

 

[Inchindown]

I suppose it could be to do with how long the lancets remain sterile after packaging.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I didn't even know they did have an expiry date. I bought a very large box of lancet drums for my Accu Chek Fastclix back in 2014. There were over 200 lancets in total. I still have 30 lancets left. After your post I looked on the box, and sure enough there is an expiry date - March 2018. I only change my lancet when either it starts to hurt or refuses to draw blood. I'm still here and still have full use of my fingers.

 

[Jaylee]

Yep, there is an expiry date on the "tab" that seals my Fast clix box...
One could easily "clock" em by just transferring to a newer box?

 

[Daibell]

As someone else said it's about making money and little else.

 

[noblehead]

I suppose it could be to do with how long the lancets remain sterile after packaging.

I would say that is the reason.

 

[Jaylee]

I would say that is the reason.

Wow! Good job I'm up to date with the Tetanus then...

 

[AndBreathe]

My lancets needles are actually sealed, within a blob of polypropylene or whatever it is. In order to use it, I have to snap that tab of plastic off.

I'm at a loss how the business end would become unsterile, until loaded and deployed.

 

[TallGiraffe]

They can't guarantee sterility after a certain date, I have lots of expired needles I need to dispose of. I would rather get new ones that run the risk of a blood infection!

 

[Deleted member 308541]

I have just had a look at mine and they are good to 2019.

A point on expiry dates on medical supplies in general, the first aid box at the bowls club I am a member of is managed by St John Ambulance.

They check the box each year and throw out various stuff that the use by date has passed. Bandages and slings have all been binned and replaced at a cost to the club,

I got a space blanket that was binned one year, the ones you wrap around patients in shock which is made out of gold coloured aluminium foil how that can have a use buy date has me beat.

Edit: Typo

 

[douglas99]

Packaging isn't perfect.
You package things, you sterilize, and 99.99999% of stuff dies.
The remainder breeds. Or the packaging deteriorates, or statistically, there is the chance that after whatever date, there is a risk of some unpleasant stuff being in there.

A friend of mine lost their eyesight in one eye, after a needle for the retinopathy picked up a microbe somewhere en route to her eye.
So, the sell by date reduces the gamble you're taking.

As to the space blanket, is it completely sterile?
How long can you guarantee it's sterile for?
Because if you tear it open, and stick it over someone missing an arm, are you happy to introduce whatever has been growing on it? Or do you think a few pence is a good investment then?

 

[Jaylee]

Packaging isn't perfect.

At the end of the day my lancets come in a cardboard box with a 20mm bit of tape sticking the lid down..

.. Cigarettes are packaged better.

 

[douglas99]

But can you smoke a lancet?

 

[AndBreathe]

Packaging isn't perfect.
You package things, you sterilize, and 99.99999% of stuff dies.
The remainder breeds. Or the packaging deteriorates, or statistically, there is the chance that after whatever date, there is a risk of some unpleasant stuff being in there.

A friend of mine lost their eyesight in one eye, after a needle for the retinopathy picked up a microbe somewhere en route to her eye.
So, the sell by date reduces the gamble you're taking.

As to the space blanket, is it completely sterile?
How long can you guarantee it's sterile for?
Because if you tear it open, and stick it over someone missing an arm, are you happy to introduce whatever has been growing on it? Or do you think a few pence is a good investment then?

I think drawing a comparison between a lancet, used to draw a pin-prick of blood to needles used on the eyes or a dressing on an amputation is a bit of a leap.

Bearing in mind how many folks user their lancets multiple times, I think there is a far greater danger to using a lancet 50 (or however many) times than using one which has gone out of date by a relatively short period, outside the initial expiry date.

Obviously, we should all carry our our own risk assessments and compare with our our risk acceptance parameters.

 

[JohnEGreen]

Any thing that breaks the skin or draws blood can be a potential source of infection.

 

[AndBreathe]

Any thing that breaks the skin or draws blood can be a potential source of infection.

I wholly agree with you, but the fingers are in open sight of us, and should anything feel amiss we can take pretty fast steps.

As I say, every one of us has to decide where out risk dials are set. Anyone who reuses a lancet are running at least the risk of the outdated lancets would (in my opinion), but plenty of us do that. Don't we? (Rhetorical)

 

[Brunneria]

Well, My SD Codefree came (3 years ago) with 10 lancets included.
- still have 3 left.
No sign of expiry date on any of the packaging I have left. Still pricking away magnificently. No sign of infection, necrotic tissue or paralysis.
My personal risk assessment conclusion is that when the last one goes hurty-blunt I will probably treat myself to a new meter (and 10 more new 'free' lancets). Since it will have been going strong for 4 years by then, and I will deserve an upgrade.
Cos I'm worth it.

 

[douglas99]

I think drawing a comparison between a lancet, used to draw a pin-prick of blood to needles used on the eyes or a dressing on an amputation is a bit of a leap.

Bearing in mind how many folks user their lancets multiple times, I think there is a far greater danger to using a lancet 50 (or however many) times than using one which has gone out of date by a relatively short period, outside the initial expiry date.

Obviously, we should all carry our our own risk assessments and compare with our our risk acceptance parameters.

Fortunately, manufacturers have a standard to work to, as do all manufacturers of medical appliances.
I don't think I'd do better making my own risk assessment, and I probably wouldn't advise others to, even if I did.