Safely Drawing Up And Labeling Medications

Every day as an anesthesiologist, I reconstitute, draw up, and administer antibiotics, hypnotics, narcotics, paralytics, inotropes/pressors, blood products, fluids, vasodilators, and a myriad of other medications. Each year, the FDA receives over 100,000 reports associated with a suspected medication error causing hospitalization, life-threatening emergency, morbidity, and even death!

In light of the recent headlines regarding the fatal administration of vecuronium instead of midazolam (Versed), I wanted to see how you all promote safe medication administration practices. Here are two things I do with virtually every medication.

First, I pre-label my syringes both sideways and circumferentially. Next, whenever I draw medications out of a vial, I have the inverted medication label facing me and the syringe label. This way, I can ensure I’m filling the right syringe with the right medication at the expected concentration.

Whether it’s cross-checking certain medications with a licensed provider, separating medications which look and sound similar, using electronically generated labels from medication QR codes, or even simple “off-the-protocol” tips, drop me a comment with what you do regarding medication safety and a tag a friend who might be interested in seeing suggestions! We need to do better!