Medication Preparation from a Vial Health Article

Definition

Medical preparation from a vial is the method of preparing a drug contained in a vial into a usable form that is safe and effective for human delivery.

Purpose

• To facilitate safe and effective delivery of medications.
• To transform the medication from solid form to fluid form where appropriate.
• To prepare and transport the medication to equipment more suitable for final delivery.

Precautions

There are several precautions that health care providers need to keep in mind when preparing medications. These precautions protect both the practitioner and the patient. Risks most common to the health care provider include needlestick injuries from the equipment used to prepare the medication and the risk of splashing harmful drugs onto the skin, eyes and other mucous membranes, by which the body may uptake all or part of the drug. These are generally caused by incorrect methods of medication preparation. Failure to maintain sterility and contamination of the medication are the largest possible risks for the patient during this procedure. Strict adherence to guidelines set out by the health institution as well as those guidelines recommended for preparing particular medications provided by the manufacturers are vital to ensure safe preparation of any medication.

Description

Nearly all medications used for injections are distributed by manufacturers in sterile containers called vials. Some medications in these vials are in liquid form, whereas others are in solid form. Those in solid form usually break down readily in liquid form, losing their effectiveness. The solid (often powder) medication is then prepared by the health care provider shortly before use. Liquid medications are usually stable at room temperature and retain their quality. Many do not require further preparation or dilution to use, depending of course, on the route of administration chosen. It is considered safe practice to first read the manufacturer's documentation before preparing any drug for the first time or in cases where there is difference of opinion between health care providers in how the medication should be prepared from the vial. Workplace policy for delivery of particular drugs should also consult, as these can vary from institution to institution.