Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Evaluation of Drug Sorption to PVC- and Non-PVC-based Tubes in Administration Sets Using a Pump
06:08

Evaluation of Drug Sorption to PVC- and Non-PVC-based Tubes in Administration Sets Using a Pump

Published on: March 11, 2017

Multidose vials versus single-dose vials: a study in sterility and cost-effectiveness

N K Sheth, G T Post, T R Wisniewski

    Journal of Clinical Microbiology
    |February 1, 1983
    PubMed

    Insights

    Multidose injectable vials showed minimal bacterial contamination risk in nursing stations. However, their use as a cost-saving measure compared to single-dose vials was not consistently effective.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Healthcare Economics
    • Pharmacy Practice

    Background:

    • Multidose vials are commonly used in healthcare settings.
    • Concerns exist regarding microbial contamination and cost-effectiveness.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To assess the sterility of multidose injectable vials in nursing stations.
    • To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of multidose vials versus single-dose vials.

    Main Methods:

    • Collected 197 multidose vials from 10 nursing stations for sterility testing.
    • Conducted experimental contamination studies.
    • Compared the cost-effectiveness of multidose and single-dose vials.

    Main Results:

    • Bacterial contamination of multidose vials was not found to be a significant hazard.
    • The use of multidose vials did not consistently prove to be a cost-containment strategy.

    Conclusions:

    • Multidose vials appear safe from a contamination perspective in this setting.
    • Healthcare facilities should carefully evaluate cost-saving claims associated with multidose vial usage.

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