Marker on syringes - Page 2

Okay, here's the real skinny... Do NOT write on IV bags unless it has a label on it, and the label is what you are writing on!!
When you use a magic marker to write on bags, the marker leaches into the bag and then goes into your patient.
In addition, writing with a pen is no-no, and you can easily puncture the bag.
Your employing institution has, or should have. these policies in place... And they are there for a reason. If your pt is harmed.. Is the hospital going to back you up for deviating from standard practice... NO!

Hey IVRUS,

Help me out & quote your source to not writing on IV bags. Do you know of a scientific study that was done?

Sincerely,

Mr.Sandman

I would like to see this also.

The whole magic marker bleeds through the bag is an old wives tale. The ink in magic markers is non toxic and usually has a resin, colorant, and a solvent that usually happens to be an alcohol. Old IV bags and medical plastics in general were typically made of polyvinyl chloride, a plastic that is actually relatively porous and does leech chemicals into it's contents. Due to the concern of DEHP leeching into the contents of the IV bags made of PVC there was a major push to eliminate PVC from medical supplies in favor of polypropylene and other alternatives. Unlike PVC, polypropylene is an inert plastic that does not readily react with chemicals, leech them, or allow them to readily cross it's membrane. Today you are as likely to find PVC in healthcare as you are latex. Yes you might run across an odd object here or there but they are definitely rare items.

OSHA requires that chemotherapy and other hazardous waste be disposed in 5mil thick polypropylene bags (think the red and yellow bags we see). Most "food grade" pkastic bags that you purchase are in the 5mil thickness range (think a bag of nuts). The average IV bag is much thicker than 5mils, usually closer to the 8-10mil range. You cannot tell me that a 5mil polypropylene bag that can safely contain chemotherapy agents is somehow susceptible to the humble non-toxic magic marker.

Twenty years ago I would have agreed and said that there may possibly, maybe, in rare circumstances, be the slightest chance that some magic marker ink could leech into the bag if the bag was dipped into a vat of boiling ink and left for 3 days. Today, not so much.

Another suggestion would be to write on part of the bag/syringe that the medication won't touch (ie above the draw/fluid line).

we write with pen onto micropore (the paper-like tape), then place onto syringe or bag

I don't think there is any real harm in writing on the bag itself, but I find it is much easier to read if I write it on tape first, then apply. Same would apply to injections..

(1.) Judy Hankins et al, eds, Policies and Procedures for Infusion Nursing, second ed (Orlando, Fla: WB Saunders, 2002)

This is one referrance, but my question to you is: Do you have evidence that shows that it WON'T leach into the bag... Unless you can show me that it doesn't do this, I say leaching is still a concern, so WHY RISK IT?

A Label is a simple way to prevent it. Why take the chance? Yes, bags have gone through revisional changes just like medications have. Vancomycin for instance, is a much purer drug than it was in earlier years. But, if there is a chance that leaching could occur, take precautions. It is when one has a cavailer attitute about IV therapy that negative outcomes result.

Use tape or labels on plastic bags or bottles...syringes...a label if it stays on.