Michael Bell, MD, associate director for infection control at CDC's Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, discussed the dangers of improperly using single dose vials and ways healthcare providers can mitigate risk of noncompliance.
A recent report released by the CDC detailed two outbreaks that occurred when clinicians improperly split single-dose/single-use medication vials into new doses for multiple patients. Eventually, 10 patients required hospitalization to treat infections stemming from the noncompliance to standard precautions.
In each occurrence, healthcare providers cited drug shortages or unavailability of proper vial sizes as challenges. However, Dr. Bell said there are strategies to help healthcare providers improve compliance to contact precautions and use of single dose vials, including pharmacy services to safely split doses from single dose vials and use of alternative medications during shortages. The CDC is also reportedly working with other key stakeholders to produce "longer-term, systematic solutions."
"In the interim, it is imperative that clinicians read vial labels carefully to determine which ones are for single patients only, double check injection practices and ensure that any handling of medication vials is performed correctly under appropriate conditions," Dr. Bell said. "Our obligation is to deliver care that does no harm. Ensuring our patients are protected from unsafe injections is at the core of safe care."
A recent report released by the CDC detailed two outbreaks that occurred when clinicians improperly split single-dose/single-use medication vials into new doses for multiple patients. Eventually, 10 patients required hospitalization to treat infections stemming from the noncompliance to standard precautions.
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In each occurrence, healthcare providers cited drug shortages or unavailability of proper vial sizes as challenges. However, Dr. Bell said there are strategies to help healthcare providers improve compliance to contact precautions and use of single dose vials, including pharmacy services to safely split doses from single dose vials and use of alternative medications during shortages. The CDC is also reportedly working with other key stakeholders to produce "longer-term, systematic solutions."
"In the interim, it is imperative that clinicians read vial labels carefully to determine which ones are for single patients only, double check injection practices and ensure that any handling of medication vials is performed correctly under appropriate conditions," Dr. Bell said. "Our obligation is to deliver care that does no harm. Ensuring our patients are protected from unsafe injections is at the core of safe care."
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