Units should prepare and administer injections using aseptic technique (i.e.,
cleansing the access diaphragms of medication vials with 70% alcohol before
inserting a device in the vial). Single-dose vials, ampules, bags, or bottles of IV
solution should only be used for a single patient.
• Use of a single-dose vial is preferred over multi-dose vials (MDV), particularly
when medications will be administered to multiple patients.3
• If MDV will be used for more than one patient, they should remain in a centralized
medication area and should not enter the patient procedure area. These should be
dated when opened and discarded according to protocols in compliance with
nationally accepted guidelines, such as those published by the CDC.27
• Units should not re-use a syringe to enter a medication vial or solution, even with a
new needle.
• Units should not use the same syringe to administer medications to multiple
patients regardless of whether the needle is changed or an intervening length of IV
tubing is used.
• Units should dispose of used syringes and needles at the point of use in a sharps
container that is closable, puncture-resistant and leak-proof.