| Important Information Regarding Drug Bag Upgrade January 2010 |
The following changes will take place during the January 21 Drug Bag Upgrade:
1. Midazolam will be moved from Controlled med pouch in Main compartment to the Intermediate
compartment – controlled med pouch. This will reflect the changes in the EMS protocol that allow
Intermediate to administer Versed once they have completed the 2010 protocol testing.
2. Laminated Inventory cards will be updated to reflect the new location of the controlled medication.
3. Atropine 8mg mult-dose vials located in the Haz Mat pouch (center compartment) will expire
March 2010. Due to the exorbitant increase in this drug it will be replaced with one 1mg Atropine
vial.
1. Midazolam will be moved from Controlled med pouch in Main compartment to the Intermediate
compartment – controlled med pouch. This will reflect the changes in the EMS protocol that allow
Intermediate to administer Versed once they have completed the 2010 protocol testing.
2. Laminated Inventory cards will be updated to reflect the new location of the controlled medication.
3. Atropine 8mg mult-dose vials located in the Haz Mat pouch (center compartment) will expire
March 2010. Due to the exorbitant increase in this drug it will be replaced with one 1mg Atropine
vial.
Another BIG change that will impact you is the changes to the Valium syringes located in the
Intermediate Controlled pouch.
IMS, the pharmaceutical manufacturer for the IMS syringes that you normally see in this pouch, no
longer sells or produces this syringe. These IMS syringes will be replaced by one of two types of
syringes which are made by Hospira. They are:
1. Carpuject syringes which you have seen in drug bags on occasion.
These syringes require the carpuject syringe applicator to administer. From past experience we
have realized that if the carpuject barrel is not in the bag that we simply remove the needle portion
off of the valium vial exposing the rubber stopper and draw up the valium with another syringe
using aseptic technique. Click this link for visual instructions. These Carpuject syringes will still
be used by some hospitals. You need to be aware of how to access the valium if the applicator is
not in the bag.
2. ISecure syringes, which are made by the same company, will be the other type of syringe that
will replace the IMS syringes. These valium syringes have built in applicator so it is an all in one
unit. You should become familiar with this applicator so you know how to use it when the need
arises. Click this link for more information. You can print a poster for your agency by clicking here.
This change will not be seen right away. As the IMS syringes are used up or expire they will be
replaced by one of the two type syringes described. You need to insure you are familiar with these
before you have a need to use them.
See the attached links to view the new laminated inventory card. Remember it is your
responsibility to inventory all open compartments for discrepancies. Do not throw the blue seal
for that compartment until you have completed the inventory. Only attach the blue seal that came
from the compartment in question. Not all seals for one compartment.
Attached is the link showing the drug bag layout.
Intermediate Controlled pouch.
IMS, the pharmaceutical manufacturer for the IMS syringes that you normally see in this pouch, no
longer sells or produces this syringe. These IMS syringes will be replaced by one of two types of
syringes which are made by Hospira. They are:
1. Carpuject syringes which you have seen in drug bags on occasion.
These syringes require the carpuject syringe applicator to administer. From past experience we
have realized that if the carpuject barrel is not in the bag that we simply remove the needle portion
off of the valium vial exposing the rubber stopper and draw up the valium with another syringe
using aseptic technique. Click this link for visual instructions. These Carpuject syringes will still
be used by some hospitals. You need to be aware of how to access the valium if the applicator is
not in the bag.
2. ISecure syringes, which are made by the same company, will be the other type of syringe that
will replace the IMS syringes. These valium syringes have built in applicator so it is an all in one
unit. You should become familiar with this applicator so you know how to use it when the need
arises. Click this link for more information. You can print a poster for your agency by clicking here.
This change will not be seen right away. As the IMS syringes are used up or expire they will be
replaced by one of the two type syringes described. You need to insure you are familiar with these
before you have a need to use them.
See the attached links to view the new laminated inventory card. Remember it is your
responsibility to inventory all open compartments for discrepancies. Do not throw the blue seal
for that compartment until you have completed the inventory. Only attach the blue seal that came
from the compartment in question. Not all seals for one compartment.
Attached is the link showing the drug bag layout.