Preparing IV medication requires meticulous attention to detail and strict adherence to aseptic technique to prevent infection. The process involves several key steps:
1. Gathering Supplies
Before beginning, gather all necessary supplies. This typically includes:
- The prescribed medication vial or ampule
- A sterile syringe of the appropriate size
- A sterile needle (or needleless system)
- Alcohol swabs
- Gloves
- Medication label for the prepared syringe
2. Hand Hygiene and Aseptic Technique
- Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Put on sterile gloves.
- Clean the medication vial or ampule with an alcohol swab.
3. Preparing the Medication
- Hold the vial in one hand and the syringe with the other. Push the needle through the rubber stopper on top of the vial.
- Draw the correct volume of medication into the syringe using an aseptic non-touch technique. (Reference: Geeky Medics)
- If necessary, carefully mix the medication by gently swirling the vial (Reference: Unnamed source). Never shake vigorously as this can affect the stability of the medication.
- Carefully remove the needle from the vial. (Reference: OpenTextBC) Always use a needleless system if available. (Reference: OpenTextBC)
4. Labeling the Syringe
- Immediately label the prepared syringe with the medication name, dose, and time of preparation. This is crucial for patient safety. (Reference: OpenTextBC)
5. Verification
- Double-check the medication label against the patient's prescription to ensure accuracy before administering.
6. Administration
The subsequent steps regarding administering the medication are outside the scope of this question, and this response focuses only on preparation.
Important Considerations:
- Always follow the specific instructions provided by the prescribing physician or pharmacist.
- Adherence to established guidelines and protocols is essential. Variations in preparation methods may exist depending on the specific medication and institutional guidelines. (Reference: ISMP Safe Practice Guidelines)
- Intravenous medication preparation and administration carry significant safety implications; medication errors can have severe consequences. (Reference: NCBI PMC)
