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Gas-solid chromatography of isopropyl alcohol samples
American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy
|April 1, 1976
Summary
Hospital pharmacies can accurately prepare 70% isopropyl alcohol solutions. Repeatedly opened containers showed no significant alcohol evaporation, even after a month in patient care areas.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Hospital pharmacies prepare isopropyl alcohol solutions for patient care.
- Concerns exist regarding the accuracy of compounded solutions and potential evaporation from opened containers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the accuracy of 70% isopropyl alcohol solutions prepared by a hospital pharmacy.
- To quantify alcohol evaporation from repeatedly opened containers in clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-five samples of 70% isopropyl alcohol were collected from hospital wards.
- Samples were in use for over one month and less than half full.
- Gas chromatography was employed for quantitative analysis of alcohol content.
Main Results:
- Gas chromatography proved highly reliable for analyzing isopropyl alcohol concentrations.
- The method is suitable for both large and small sample volumes.
- No significant evaporation of isopropyl alcohol was detected despite prolonged use and repeated container opening.
Conclusions:
- The hospital pharmacy's procedure for preparing 70% isopropyl alcohol solutions is accurate.
- Evaporation of isopropyl alcohol from clinical use containers is not a significant issue.
- Gas chromatography is a robust analytical technique for pharmaceutical quality control.