Urgent Shortage: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (NS) Injection 10 mL vials

Posted on: March 11, 2022

Urgent Shortage: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (NS) Injection 10 mL vials

 

What I need to know? 

SITUATION:

  • There is a national shortage of 0.9% Sodium Chloride (NS) Injection 10 mL vials.vials.JPG
  • Supply of 10 mL NS POLYAMPS is unstable.

MITIGATION: 

  • 10 mL NS VIALS and POLYAMPS supply will be decreasing in patient care units.
  • Island Health temporarily approves the use of IV NS mini-bags for reconstitution/dilution of medications during this shortage (50 and 100 mL preferred).
  • 10 mL NS VIALS and POLYAMPS will be prioritized for:
    • EPIDURAL INSERTION and EPIDURAL DIRECT BOLUS USE (OR, Obstetrics).
    • At this time, NS VIALS and POLYAMPS will also remain on all OR trays.

SAFETY:

  • NS mini-bags MUST be discarded after single use
    • Use of IV mini-bag for multiple accesses increases the risk of contamination.
    • Do NOT access the NS mini-bag for reconstitution of more than ONE medication.
    • At this time NS mini-bags are NOT approved for epidural insertion/direct bolus.
  • Prefilled NS syringes must ONLY be used for flushing vascular access devices.
    • Do NOT use for reconstitution/dilution of medications.

What I need to do? 

NURSING

  • Use IV NS mini- bags for reconstitution of medications during this shortage. 

“ONE bag - ONE patient - ONE use - then DISCARD”

  • Do NOT use prefilled NS syringes for reconstitution of medication.
  • If Epidural direct bolus is required outside of OR/Obstetrics and NS VIAL/POLYAMP not available, request from OR.

PHARMACY

  •  Reserve 10 mL NS VIALS and POLYAMPS for OR trays.

CLINICAL LEADERS

Questions: Contact your Pharmacy Site Coordinator or MedicationSafetyConsultants@viha.ca