In ISMP’s perioperative assessment, it is recommended that “Irrigation solution containers stocked in, and/or dispensed to, perioperative settings are packaged in 2- or 3-liter bags, pour bottles, or other route-specific packaging to differentiate them from IV bags.”
1. Are you aware of any clinical or safety reasons why a 1-liter irrigation bag would be needed and in which a 1-liter irrigation pour bottle or a 2- or 3-liter irrigation bag couldn’t be used instead (or wouldn’t be ideal for use)?
2. If you do continue to stock 1-liter irrigation bags, what is the rationale?
3. Do you have control over the irrigation solutions that are stocked in your facility, or does central supply/materials management control the inventory for these solutions?
4. If you do not stock 1-liter irrigation bags, have you received any pushback? If so, why?
Thanks for any insight you may have!
Becky Lamis, PharmD
Medication Safety Analyst, ISMP