Opinion
Video
Optimizing Opioid Delivery for Patient Safety
Experts discuss advantages of prefilled syringes in opioid delivery—reducing errors, enhancing safety, and minimizing waste—while providing insights on optimizing dosage forms.
This is a video synopsis/summary of a Practice Pearls featuring Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, CPEL; Megan Mitchell, PharmD, MS; Stephanie Abel, PharmD, BCPS; and Jennifer Grate, CPhT.
Haumschild and Mitchell explore alternatives to oral and injectable opioid delivery, focusing on prefilled syringes vs vials. Mitchell highlights the advantages of prefilled syringes, emphasizing the elimination of dosing errors, ease of use, and improved patient safety. Prefilled syringes, filled and sealed under controlled conditions, reduce the risk of medication errors and contamination during preparation. Haumschild expresses concerns about aseptic technique, vial waste, and the potential for tampering, underscoring the importance of a strong diversion program. Mitchell discusses how prefilled syringe design features, like barcode labels, contribute to error reduction, saving time and ensuring accurate dosing. The emphasis on patient safety and error reduction highlights the crucial role of prefilled syringes in diverse health care settings, addressing concerns about labeling compliance and minimizing dosing errors.
This summary was AI-generated and reviewed by Pharmacy Times® editorial staff.
