Re: Labels for syringes

[Gwen Irwin]

Title: Re: Labels for syringes

Here is what I have been working from related to labeling syringes in the sterile field.  It is part of the JCAHO national patient safety goals.   Requirement for New NPSG 3D: Label all medications, medication containers (for example, syringes, medicine cups, basins), or other solutions on and off the sterile field in perioperative and other procedural settings. (Applicable to critical access hospitals, hospitals).   Joint Commission Requirements Errors have resulted from medications and other solutions removed from their original containers and placed into unlabeled containers. Medications or other solutions in unlabeled containers cannot be identified. This unsafe practice neglects basic principles of medication management safety yet has been routine with respect to medications transferred to the sterile field or used during the administration of anesthesia in many organizations. Therefore, when medications or solutions are transferred from the original packaging to another container, the new container must be labeled. Medications and solutions both on and off the sterile field must be labeled even if only one medication or solution is being used. All original containers from medications or solutions must remain available for reference in the perioperative area until the procedure is completed. After the procedure is complete, the contents held in all labeled containers on the sterile field must be discarded. In addition, medications and solutions both on and off the sterile field (and their labels) must be reviewed by personnel who are going on breaks or at shift change.   We have chosen to go with the prefilled saline syringes.  In comparison to sterile marking pens and labels, it seems to be the better choice to be in compliance with this safety goal.   Gwen Irwin Austin, Texas   ----- Original Message ----- From: Lynn Hadaway To: Galloway, Margy ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2006 1:15 PM Subject: Re: Labels for syringes Hi Margy, I have read the JCAHO NPSGs for 2006 many times but have never seen anything with this level of detail. Hope someone else may know. Lynn At 11:22 AM -0600 2/2/06, Galloway, Margy wrote: Colleagues, We are struggling with how to label our syringes during our PICC placement Procedure.  I know labels will soon be available in our kits but we are being asked in the meantime to find a temporary means to label.  I remember this topic being discussed previously.  Do I remember someone stating that you could not used syringes that were stamped with what was to be filled in the syringes and That it had to be a label to attach after the fluid was drawn up? Can anyone direct me to were I can find this info? Thanks for your help. Margy Galloway Saint Luke's Health System Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this e-mail transmission is confidential information, proprietary to the sender and legally protected. Its purpose is intended for the sole use of the individual(s) or entity named in the message header. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, copying or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender of the error and delete this message and any attachments. Kansas City's newest health care campus, Saint Luke's East-Lee's Summit, is now open. Go to saintlukeshealthsystem.org to learn more. -- Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RNC, CRNI Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc. 126 Main Street, PO Box 10 Milner, GA 30257 http://www.hadawayassociates.com office 770-358-7861