Inspect Multi-dose Medication Vials Carefully
Published
Careful inspection of a vial (and the medication inside of it) is an important infection prevention practice. Today’s challenge is to check that you’re using multi-dose vaccine vials safely every time.
For example, what should you do if the vial is cracked?
Sometimes cracks in a vial aren’t apparent at first glance. If you see a white, powder-like substance on the outer vial, it could mean the medication and its diluent leaked out through a crack. Over time, the diluent dried, leaving the medication in powder form on the outside of the vial. And if the vial has cracks, you should throw it away in a sharps container.
The CDC also recommends checking multi-dose vials for:
Multi-dose vials efficiently deliver important medications and vaccines to clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare settings in large volumes. As a nurse, you need to understand how to mitigate the risks associated with this packaging to prevent infections. Enroll in the free ANA Project Firstline module below to refresh your knowledge today.
Not a bedside nurse? How can you use the tips from this challenge in your daily practice and/or home life? Share with us in the challenge update thread here, in our private Facebook group, or on Twitter, or Instagram (tag us with #healthynurse!).
Find this helpful? Use the social media links on the left side of your page to share this with a nurse and invite them to join Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation!
Missed day 4? Catch up here. Join us on day 6.
For example, what should you do if the vial is cracked?
Sometimes cracks in a vial aren’t apparent at first glance. If you see a white, powder-like substance on the outer vial, it could mean the medication and its diluent leaked out through a crack. Over time, the diluent dried, leaving the medication in powder form on the outside of the vial. And if the vial has cracks, you should throw it away in a sharps container.
The CDC also recommends checking multi-dose vials for:
- Previous use: Unless the manufacturer specifies a different (shorter or longer) date for an opened vial, it should be dated and discarded within 28 days if it has been opened or accessed (e.g., needle-punctured).
- Expiration dates: Throw away a multi-dose vial by the manufacturer's expiration date if it hasn't been used.
Multi-dose vials efficiently deliver important medications and vaccines to clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare settings in large volumes. As a nurse, you need to understand how to mitigate the risks associated with this packaging to prevent infections. Enroll in the free ANA Project Firstline module below to refresh your knowledge today.
Not a bedside nurse? How can you use the tips from this challenge in your daily practice and/or home life? Share with us in the challenge update thread here, in our private Facebook group, or on Twitter, or Instagram (tag us with #healthynurse!).
Find this helpful? Use the social media links on the left side of your page to share this with a nurse and invite them to join Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation!
Missed day 4? Catch up here. Join us on day 6.
Blog Challenge Tips
06/24/2023 10:56am CDT
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