How does your organization address the use of multi-dose vials in patient rooms that are in isolation status?
Most inpatient care areas in my organization have medication storage just outside of the patient rooms (in a locked medication drawer). The question has come up for patients that are in isolation, what is the most appropriate way to store MDVs like insulin? We use BCMA and would typically prep the insulin at the bedside and return it to the drawer to be used solely for that patient. But if the patient is in isolation, that complicates things (risk of contamination).
What are other organizations doing?
Is there literature out there that you have used to support your practice?
I'm currently doing a literature review, but thought I would seek experts here as well.
Thank you.
Stacie Ethington, MSN, RN-BC
Medication Safety Nurse Specialist
Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, NE