practice partner
Advisory Committee updates
guidance on multidose vials
Guidance clarifies when opened vials should be discarded
Infection Control and prevention
All needles are single patient use only.
All syringes are single patient use only.
ever re-enter a vial with a used
N
needle or used syringe.
If multidose vials are selected for use, the
following recommendations must be followed
each time the multidose vial is used:
nce medication is drawn up, the
O
needle should be immediately withdrawn from the vial. A needle should
NEVER be left in a vial to be attached
to a new syringe.
Use multidose vial for a single patient
42
Dialogue Issue 3, 2015
whenever possible and mark the vial
with the patient’s name.
ark the multidose vial with the date
M
it was first used and ensure that it is
discarded at the appropriate time.
dhere to aseptic technique when
A
accessing multidose vials. Multidose
vials should be accessed on a surface
that is clean and where no dirty, used
or potentially contaminated equipment is placed or stored. Scrub the
access diaphragm of vials using
friction and 70% alcohol. Allow to dry
before inserting a new needle and new
syringe into the vial.
iscard the multidose vial immediately
D
if sterility is questioned or compromised or if the vial is not marked with
the patient’s name and original entry
date.
eview the product leaflet for recomR
mended duration of use after entry
of the multidose vial. Discard opened
multidose vials according to the manufacturer’s instructions or within 28
days, whichever is shorter*
*EXCEPTIONS can be considered for multidose vials used
for a single patient (e.g., allergy shots) if the manufacturer’s
instructions state that the vial can be used for longer than
28 days. All of the above steps must be followed and th