SAFETY
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O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4
LASA list and discuss them during staff orientations, annual compe-
tencies and departmental meetings.
If your center only does eye cases, you probably don't even need to
carry methylene blue, eliminating the risk. But if you do carry both,
there are steps to take to make
sure these mix-ups don't hap-
pen at your facility. If you have
a legitimate need to carry
methylene blue — which can
be used as a staining agent or
dye in a variety of procedures,
among other things — clearly
differentiate the two. Put "not
for eye cases" on methylene
blue, and consider "Tall man" lettering for both, for example METHYL-
ENE blue and TRYPANblue (make sure this doesn't interfere with other
drugs you stock).
Also, be sure to store them separately. Even better, have an "eye
room" or automated dispensing cabinet to store all medications and
materials for eye surgeries, being sure methylene blue is not included
in those areas.
Many ophthalmologists call the dye by its brand name, VisionBlue,
which could be confusing to a circulating nurse who's unfamiliar with
cataract surgeries and not told about the differences between the
drugs beforehand. Hold a pre-op briefing, no matter how "routine" the
surgery, where the surgeon can discuss VisionBlue and whether he
expects to use it. VisionBlue isn't used in all cataract cases, so when a
surgery is going along smoothly and the dye is needed suddenly, it can
put stress on an unprepared staff.
The blues are a look-
alike, sound-alike drug
pair that you should
clearly differentiate
and store separately.
