A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 2 3
Observation Yes/No Provider
Single-dose vials are used for only one patient.
Yes o No o
Multi-dose vials are accessed outside of the patient care area.
Yes o No o
Multi-dose vials are labeled with a 28-day expiration after opening.
Note: If the printed expiration date is earlier than 28 days,
use this date as the expiration date.
Yes o No o
If not immediately drawn and administered,
syringes with medication are labeled.
Yes o No o
Rubber septums are wiped with alcohol wipes before access.
Yes o No o
IV access ports are wiped with alcohol wipes before access.
Yes o No o
Medications for the current patient and from single-dose vials are
the only medications drawn in patient-care areas. Medications for
other patients are not accessed or stored after access in this area.
Yes o No o
Medications/syringes on the sterile field are labeled,
including any fluids.
Yes o No o
Safe Injection Surveillance Worksheet
H
aving trouble finding a vein to start
an IV? Try using a hot pack. A quick
squeeze causes the hot pack to heat
up, and the heated pad, when placed over
veins, helps dilate them, making them easy
to see and access. We keep medical-grade
hot packs on hand at our hospital, to use
with patients who have sore necks or backs, but
you can get similar products for less than a dollar apiece at big
department stores. Patients are amazed at how much easier the
IV start is when we use the hot pack. Any time we're having a lit-
tle difficulty feeling a vein, it's our secret weapon.
Pearl Dixon, CPT
St. Mary Medical Center
Hot Packs Make IV Starts a Breeze
• HOT TIP Some of the most challeng-
ing patients become first-stick success
stories when you warm up their veins.
Pearl
Dixon,
CPT
Langhorne, Pa.
pmccall@stmaryhealthcare.org
