I have checked the standards and the INS p&p book for guidance and now come to all of you. Can you please give me feedback on the following. References that I have not thought of would be appreciated.
Labeling of IV solutions and drugs.
 -if the IV solution or med (piggyback/secondary) has a pharmacy label on it, there is the required info of what it is, what was added, patient info, when and who mixed, etc.Â
If this is present, why does the nurse need to date, time, and initial the label?
-if the IV solution is a 'stock' solution, is it necessary to have the bag labeled if it has been 'scanned'.
I am old-school and think they all should be labeled by the nurse hanging/initiating, but am frequently challenged on this. It is felt that if they have 'scanned' it into the electronic MAR, they should not have to do anything else.
I don't want to get stuck in my rut here, so help me re-align my thinking if necessary.
Several things come to mind. In the USP 797 rules, there is a new term - beyond-use labeling. While the expiration date is what the product manufacturer puts on the original label, the reconstitution of meds creates the need for a beyond-use date and time. So you will need to ensure that your labels are in compliance with these dates. The manor in which the meds were prepared dictates how long it can be used. Those mixed on the nursing unit without laminar flow hoods must be used immediately but others have longer beyond use dates. So the labels will help you keep track of this more closely.
The time it is scanned may not always be the time the container is actually opened. So the labels on the product itself just make it more convenient to keep track of when the container and tubing must be changed.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
www.hadawayassociates.com
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861