I read the information regarding compounding medications in regards to the Joint Commission and new INS standards.
One of the advantages of Cathflo is that it is sent up as a powder to be mixed with 2.2 sterile water. If the line is not occluded after all, the vial can be sent back (Not mixed of course) without wasting. This was not true with aliquotted tPA.
It would not be advantageous for Pharmacy to mix it themselves and send it up. This is being done across the nation so are we all doing something against Standards?
Since Cathflo is really of substance that is not infused but used to dwell, does this make any difference?
Thank you,
Chris Thomas
Instillation or infusion does not matter. You are still administereding a parentaral medication. The guidance for this comes from USP <797>. For any drug such as Cathflo that is dluted or compounded at the bedside, USP says this falls within the immediate use category. As long as you use this drug within 1 hour of when you began to dilute it, you are within the recommendations from UPS, JC, INS, etc. So follow manufacturers IFU, use within one hour or discard and you within the guidelines. Check with your pharmacy for more details on USP <797> as I am certain they are very familiar with it. There are 3 other risk levels for compounding sterile preparations and your pharmacy can provide those or you can find lots of info about USP 797 at www.ashp.org. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Lynn,
This is exactly what I needed to know. Thanks,
I am in constant battle with the Mother ship facility with their quesitons.
Chris