title: Contamination study of multiple-dose vials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To document the number of opened, dated, and expired multiple-dose vials (MDVs) in patient-care areas and to determine what proportion of MDVs were contaminated with bacteria or cellular debris.
  
  
  METHODS
  Every tenth opened MDV (69/656) identified on the wards was collected, ensuring representation from each nursing unit. Contents were examined for contamination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical-school-affiliated, tertiary care center.
  
  
  METHODS
  (1) Visual inspection for debris, medication type, location, lot number, manufacturer's expiration date, and date of opening; (2) culture in solid and broth media for bacterial growth; and (3) staining and microscopic examination for cellular constituents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No vials had been dated after opening and 4.6 percent were expired according to the manufacturer's expiration date. No bacterial contamination was evident; however, one vial was contaminated with red blood cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transmission of infection via contaminated MDVs has been well documented and contamination with red blood cells raises concerns about potential for transmission of bloodborne pathogens. Recommendations include dating MDVs after opening, emphasizing the need for proper aseptic technique, and discarding MDVs on the manufacture's date of expiration.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Melnyk
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Shevchuk
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Conly
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D004340:Drug Contamination; D004348:Drug Labeling; D004349:Drug Packaging; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006757:Hospital Units; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D012525:Saskatchewan