American journal of hospital pharmacy
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The viability of microorganisms in multiple-dose vials (MDVs) and the use and in-use contamination rate of MDVs were investigated. Serial tenfold dilutions of stationary cultures of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were injected into 30-ml MDVs containing bacteriostatic agents, and samples were removed at 1, 16, 24, and 48 hours, and at seven days to test for viable organisms. All opened MDVs were removed from each patient-care area and the pharmacy in a hospital and tested for microbial contamination using an aliquot-sampling method. ⋯ Lidocaine, insulin, diluents, and heparin constituted 57% of collected vials. The length of time that opened vials remained on a unit and the number of opened vials per unit varied considerably between units. The cost, feasibility, and effectiveness of control policies regarding use of MDVs should be weighed objectively against potential benefits.