Postgraduate medical journal
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Wide variation in the concentrations of electrolyte infusions prepared from stock solutions has previously been reported. Layering of viscous stock electrolyte solutions in their diluent can lead to high concentrations being delivered during the infusion, resulting in potentially very serious medication errors which have caused deaths. ⋯ It is recommended that electrolyte infusions are prepared and provided by the pharmaceutical industry in prefilled syringes or bags. Given the likely cost of these products, an alternative would be to prepare infusions in pharmacy in advance, using PVC bags rather than syringes, and that they should be agitated vigorously with a 'vortex' mixer.