4 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • A U G U S T 2 0 1 7
When does it make the most
sense to buy prefilled syringes?
Here are 4 instances when it's
wise to consider doing so.
1. If you draw it up 10 times a
day. If you use a high volume of
inventory and turn it over quick-
ly, go prefilled. As a rule of
thumb, we'd say it makes sense
to use prefilled syringes if you
administer the same drug 10
times a day. This creates a con-
venience for the OR team. They
won't have to draw the drug up,
label it properly and put it on
the field.
2. If you're wasting a lot. If
you're wasting a significant amount from the manufacturer's
vials, go prefilled. In other words, if a drug comes in a 10-mL vial
and you're using 3 mL at a time, you'll save money using a com-
pounder. Neostigmine and ephedrine are among both the most
expensive anesthetics and the most likely to not be completely
used.
3. If there's a lot of math involved. If your doctors use a differ-
ent concentration than what the manufacturer supplies, go pre-
filled. There's a greater chance of an error occurring if your docs
have to draw the medicine up and then dilute with saline and per-
IF/THEN
When to Go Prefilled
• GOOD DEAL You may find that the higher per-
syringe cost is worth the investment due to the
time and labor it saves.
Jared
Sturgill
