Recycled unused piggyback admixtures through the use of tamper-proof safety caps

The purpose of the project was to develop and implement a method whereby unused intravenous preparations could be redispensed for a subsequent dose to another patient. Even if the stability and sterility of the solution can be assured, since the admixture has left the controls of the Pharmacy, it cannot be reused because of the possibility that further additions have been made. If the pharmacy could assure that an admixture has not been altered in any way, it could be redispensed. Tamper-Proof Safety Caps have been placed over the additive port of Viaflex minibags after preparation, thereby rendering it impossible for further additions to be made, and therefore these admixtures can be reused for a different patient. The Department of Pharmaceutical Services has begun to recycle admixtures and has experienced an annual cost savings in 1981 of $64,512. The cost of the program for the protective caps was $17,810. This cost savings has been accomplished without further additions to the staff.