Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026
Aseptic Laboratory Techniques: Volume Transfers with Serological Pipettes and Micropipettors
Published on: May 31, 2012
Residual volume in vials of antibiotics used in pediatrics
Caroline Magna Pessoa Chaves1, Carolina Martins Bezerra1, Francisca Elisângela Teixeira Lima1
1Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Enfermagem, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
Objective:
Quantifying residual volume contained in vials of antibiotics used in pediatrics.
Method:
This is an experiment involving samples from vials of antibiotics used in a pediatric hospital. Residual volume was identified by calculating the difference in weight measurement before and after the vials were washed. Evaluation of the residual volume difference in the vials was determined by the Wilcoxon non-parametric test for a sample and established at a significance level of 5%.
Results:
105 samples of antibiotics were selected. The correct use of the antibiotics oxacillin (88.57%) and ceftriaxone (94.28%) predominated with low residual values. The same did not occur for procaine benzylpenicillin + potassium benzylpenicillin, since a greater residual volume was discarded in 74.28% of the vials.
Conclusion:
We highlight the need for improvements in managing antibiotics in the institution under study, so that the excess volume of the antibiotics in the vials is used within the acceptable stable time. It is also necessary that the disposal of the residual volume be adequately disposed, since it presents a risk to public health and the environment.
Objetivo:
Quantificar o volume residual contido em frascos-ampola de antibióticos utilizados na pediatria.
MéTodo:
Trata-se de um experimento com amostras de frascos-ampola de antibióticos utilizados em hospital pediátrico. O volume residual foi identificado calculando-se a diferença da aferição do peso antes e após a lavagem do frasco-ampola. A avaliação da diferença dos volumes residuais nos frascos-ampola foi determinada pelo teste não paramétrico de Wilcoxon para uma amostra e estabelecido o nível de significância de 5%.
Resultados:
Foram selecionadas 105 amostras de antibióticos. Predominou o correto aproveitamento dos antibióticos oxacilina (88,57%) e ceftriaxona (94,28%), com baixos valores residuais. O mesmo não ocorreu com a benzilpenicilina procaína + potássica, pois em 74,28% dos frascos houve descarte de volume residual superior.
ConclusãO:
Destaca-se a necessidade de melhorias na gestão dos antibióticos na instituição em estudo, para que o volume excedente do antibiótico em frasco-ampola seja aproveitado até o tempo de estabilidade permitido, assim como é necessário que haja a adequação da forma de descarte do volume residual, que apresenta risco à saúde pública e ao meio ambiente.
Insights
This study quantified residual antibiotic volumes in pediatric vials, finding significant waste in 74.28% of procaine benzylpenicillin + potassium benzylpenicillin vials. Improved antibiotic management and disposal are crucial for patient safety and environmental protection.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Hospital Pharmacy
- Public Health
Background:
- Antibiotic vials often contain residual volumes after administration.
- Inadequate management of these residual volumes can lead to drug waste and potential health risks.
- Pediatric care frequently involves the use of multiple antibiotic formulations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the residual volume in antibiotic vials used in pediatric settings.
- To assess the extent of antibiotic waste due to residual volumes.
- To identify specific antibiotic formulations with higher residual volumes.
Main Methods:
- A total of 105 antibiotic vials from pediatric use were analyzed.
- Residual volume was determined by gravimetric analysis (weight difference before and after washing).
- Statistical evaluation employed the Wilcoxon non-parametric test at a 5% significance level.
Main Results:
- Oxacillin (88.57%) and ceftriaxone (94.28%) showed predominantly low residual volumes, indicating effective use.
- Procaine benzylpenicillin + potassium benzylpenicillin exhibited significant waste, with 74.28% of vials having excessive residual volume.
- The findings highlight variability in residual volume across different antibiotic types.
Conclusions:
- There is a need for improved antibiotic management protocols in pediatric institutions.
- Optimizing the use of residual antibiotic volumes within their stability period is essential.
- Proper disposal of residual antibiotic volumes is critical to mitigate public health and environmental risks.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
01:15Respiratory Volumes
Tidal Volume (TV) Tidal volume (TV) is the air inhaled or exhaled in a...
01:20Estimation of k and VD of Aminoglycosides
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption