Different Types of Gauge Needles

For starting an IV choosing a proper needle size is very important. These needles are sized by gauges, smaller the gauge number, bigger the needle will be. It may be difficult at first to spot the differences between the needles. But mostly they are color coded by the manufacturers to differentiate. There are also other gauge sizes but used rarely. 16 gauge needles are used in ICU or surgery. 24 gauge needles are used for pediatrics. Its size is small. 18, 20 and 22 gauge sizes are most commonly used in day to day medicine.

Selecting the right gauge

Some medical procedures are done with a specific size needle and that is why it becomes important to choose the right size. If you are taking a blood sample from a patient, you must use a large gauge needle otherwise you have to reinsert with a proper sized needle again, making the patient frustrated in pain.

Some of the important sizes and its uses are:

16 gauge:

They are mostly used in ICU and surgical procedures. They are used for rapid administration of blood and fluid etc.

18 gauge:

They are used in procedures which require larger IV sizes. They are used same as 16 gauge size and are bit painful. They are used for administering blood and fluids and also in CT PE protocols.

20 gauge:

This size is best for patients with smaller veins. They are used to push blood if one cant use the 18 size.

22 gauge:

This is used for patients who aren’t critically ill. Usually it is not used to administer blood because of its small size and used only if the situation arises.

24 gauge:

This size is mostly used in pediatrics. They are only used as a last resort in adults.

Modern day technology has enabled us to retract the needle once it is injected into the skin. Most of the people think that the needles are inside the arm but the reality is, the cannula stays inside the arm. This type can hugely decrease the risk of needle sticks.

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