Are there any recommendations for when an IV bag is considered "expired?" Surveyors looking for a policy and the only thing I can come up with is the beyond use date from our pharmacy, but this doesn't include our other fluids, except the experation date on the bags.
Is there a maximum hang time for IVF? I'm aware of TPN, propofol, blood,...
Thank you.
Kate
Originally the hang time for a fluid container was 24 h. This number came from a nationwide infectious outbreak in the 1970's. CDC Guidelines eliminated this number several years ago and it was also removed from INS Standards. Reason was no studies to establish a new number of hours. Beyond use dates are what is applied by your pharmacy after the packages are opened, drug diluted, etc. Expiration dates on the package applies to unopened product and are applied by manufacturer. USP 797 is now in the public comment period and if there is any new recommendations, I would look for them in that document. I have not had a chance to read it all yet. So to my knowledge, this decision for an opened spiked fluid container without any additives is one that must be made by your facility. An opened spiked container with additives would follow the beyond use date.
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