Pre‐filled drugs for the obstetric theatre

The preparation and storage of anaesthetic drugs for obstetric emergencies: a survey of UK practice

“…An audit by Rayen et al in 2001 found 63% of pre-prepared drugs in their institution were discarded after 24 h, costing their hospital £1270 per year. 8 Since there are 223 consultant-led obstetric units in the UK, if every unit prepared such drugs then this represents significant cost to the National Health Service.…”

“…The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) in the US and the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) in the UK have suggested limiting the storage of drugs in syringes to 24 h. 3,4 However, various studies suggest that drugs drawn up into sterile syringes and then capped pose very little risk of becoming contaminated by micro-organisms and lose very little of their potency if left for periods of time far exceeding 24 h. [5][6][7] Routinely drawing up fresh drugs every 24 h represents significant wastage and has associated cost implications, 8 although it has been observed that the cost of treating one infection acquired as a result of administration of a contaminated drug may negate the saving made in an institution changing syringes weekly instead of daily. 9 It has been suggested that the use of commercially-or pharmacy-prepared syringes would reduce wastage and potential drug errors, and provide readily available emergency drugs with long shelf lives and known efficacy.…”