Hang abx COLD?

[Colorado1]

I was always taught to take antibiotic piggybacks out of the refrigerator for an hour or so before hanging, to let them reach room temperature. Now I work with some newer nurses who look at me like I'm nuts. They take them directly from the refrigerator to the pole. And yes, they are COLD. To my recollection, this can irritate the veins and cause vasospasms. Not to mention, many of our patients are elderly and frail so one would think this would be a chilling experience, to say the least.

Any thoughts, documentation, articles, etc out there would be appreciated.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

exposure to room temp via the tubing between bag and patient tempers (pun intended) the temperature....

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

And some abx aren't stable for long at room temp.

[Asystole RN]

And some abx aren't stable for long at room temp.

I cannot think of a single ABX that is not stable for at least a few hours at room temp, nor can I think of a single ABX that is recommended to be given cold.

[Asystole RN]

As always, follow the directions for administration. That being said, I cannot think of a single ABX that is meant to administered cold.

Allow them to warm to room temp for all of the reasons you cited. It takes a minimum of effort to allow the meds to come to room temperature.

Asystole RN BSN, RN, CRNI, VA-BC

[malestunurse]

I can't even think of any antibiotics that are required to be stored cold?