Marker on syringes

[kiwigirl123]

Hi All,

Does anyone know if permanent marker is okay on plastic syringes as long as giving med/vaccine soon after drawing up? (i.e. leaching through plastic to med?) I cannot find any information on the subject, only on not using permanent marker on IV bags. Thanks for any input!

[Ruthiegal]

use a small piece of tape instead.... :)

[labrador4122, RN]

I use a permanent marker on IV bags, but not on syringes that takes too much time

[monkeymoon]

I've used permanent market on IV bags too.

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

I have put a small dot with a sharpie on a oral syringe to show myself where to draw up to the 0.5ml mark since it was not clearly stated and my eyes aren't the best in a hallway with poor lighting at 10pm at night. lol

[Kingbandit]

Our policy is tape or pre-printed labels only, even iv bags. No one will give me any rational except its policy. I still use my sharpie on the tape.

[ayla2004, ASN, RN]

i use a small sticky label folded over so i can see the markings

why use [ermant marker on iv bags what do u write on the bags.

if i label a bag i use a sticky label or if ive added a 2nd medicine to a bag we have speical labels

[rotteluvr31, ADN, RN]

are you writing on the syringe to identify what's in it? we will tape the syringe to the bottle we drew from, after all, I may not need that ativan right now... but in 15 minutes I might need it in a big hurry... Not always the best practice I know, but sometimes you have to think ahead.

[kiwigirl123]

Thanks for all of the replies. I should have been more specific to avoid confusion, sorry! In the past when I gave vaccines I wrote a small stripe in permanent marker on the syringe barrel to remind me which vaccines are subcu. A small part of the marker was in the vaccine area. I didn't ever think twice about it possibly leaching through but now am worrying a lot over it. Hindsight is 20/20 but I wish that I had used a different 'reminder' for myself. Thanks!

[MissIt]

I saw a nurse today make a little X on the bottom of the plunger. I don't think there would be any danger in that. Or you could just put a little piece of tape on the SQ ones.

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

I use a permanent marker on IV bags, but not on syringes that takes too much time

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!

[Mr.Sandman]

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