health-systems PRODUCT news

2 mL Exacta-Med Oral Dispenser

Baxa Corp (Englewood, Colo) recentlyintroduced the 2 mL Exacta-Med OralDispenser. The company's line of oral liquidmedication dispensers is available insizes from 0.5 mL to 60 mL. The additionof the 2-mL dispenser provides healthprofessionals with the flexibility andconvenience to meet the full range oftheir oral dosing needs. Exacta-MedOral Dispensers play a vital role in preventingwrong-route administration ofnonintravenous (IV) fluid drugs. Theunique dispenser tip cannot connect toa Luer needle hub, needleless connector,or patient IV access device. Designedto ensure dose accuracy whilepreventing medication errors andwrong-route administration of IV drugs,oral dispensers and accessories are recommendedby the Institute for SafeMedication Practices for use in oral andenteral fluid drug delivery. For moreinformation call 800-567-BAXA (800-567-2292), or visit www.baxa.com.

Ampicillin and Sulbactam for Injection

Abraxis Pharmaceutical Products(Schaumburg, Ill) recently received FDAapproval for its abbreviated new drugapplication for the combination drugampicillin and sulbactam for injection15 g pharmacy bulk pack. The product isAP-rated, latex-free, and the genericequivalent of Pfizer Inc's Unasyn.Ampicillin and sulbactam is aninjectable antibacterial combinationconsisting of the semisynthetic antibioticampicillin sodium and the beta-lactamaseinhibitor sulbactam sodium.Administered intravenously or intramuscularly,the product is indicated forthe treatment of several skin and skinstructure, intra-abdominal, and gynecologicalinfections due to susceptiblestrains of microorganisms. The productis also available in 1.5-g and 3-g single-dosevials. For more information call 800-551-7176, or visit www.appdrugs.com.

Lorazepam Injection

Bedford Laboratories (Bedford,Ohio), a division of Ben VenueLaboratories Inc, has begun shippinglorazepam injection. The product is AP-ratedto Baxter Healthcare Corp's AtivanInjection. Lorazepam injection is indicatedfor the treatment of status epilepticus.The product is also indicated inadult patients for preanesthetic medication,producing sedation (sleepiness ordrowsiness), relief of anxiety, and adecreased ability to recall events relatedto the day of surgery. Lorazepam injectionis most useful in those patients whoare anxious about their surgical procedureand who would prefer to havediminished recall of the events of theday of surgery. The product is available ina 2-mg/mL, 1-mL single-dose vial and a10-mL multiple-dose vial, as well as a 4-mg/mL, 1-mL single-dose vial and a 10-mL multiple-dose vial. For more information,visit www.bedfordlabs.com, or call800-521-5169.

Symbiq

Hospira Inc (Lake Forest, Ill) recentlyintroduced the Symbiq infusion system,a medically and technologically advancedmedication management systemthat combines ease of use, reliability,and next-generation technology.Infusion systems like Symbiq administerintravenous (IV) medications, fluids,and solutions to patients. It is criticalfor these devices to have safeguards,such as safety software and instinctiveprogramming options, to help cliniciansprevent medication errors.Symbiq is an "intelligent" pump thatincorporates differentiated, clinician-friendlyfeatures to decrease errorsand improve workflow. Symbiq's featuresinclude advanced infusion systemwith patient-safety softwarealready integrated into the device toassure compliance; sophisticatedreporting capabilities and support ofhospital standardization; intuitive LCDdisplay?similar to an automated tellermachine screen?that features simplelayouts and touch-activated buttons tohelp minimize errors; an easy-to-readdisplay with large font and colorprompts; quick-release pole clampthat enables clinicians to rapidly moveor attach the system to an IV pole orbed rail; and an automatic medication-loadingslot that allows easy and timesavinginsertion of the medicationadministration set. For more information,visit www.hospira.com, or call877-9HOSPIRA (877-946-7747).