Video | Safely Maximizing COVID-19 Vaccine Dosing–Clarifying Syringes and More

View a recording of our March 17, 2021, live-streamed lab webcast. At the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to:

• Adhere to key steps for safe and efficient syringe handling during vaccine preparation and administration
• Understand information about error reporting
• Prepare for changes in the upcoming months in terms of necessary supplies

The presentation concludes with an informative Q&A session based on questions from hospitals around the globe.

Speakers

• Dr. Andrew Furman, Executive Director, Clinical Excellence, ECRI
• Michael R. Cohen, RPh, MS, ScD (hon.), DPS (hon.), FASHP, President, ISMP
• Kevin N. Hansen, PharmD, MS, BCPS, Assistant Director of Pharmacy, Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital
• Jason Launders, Director of Operations, Device Evaluation, ECRI
• Kristina Cybularz, Manager, Supply Guide—Supply Chain Services, ECRI
• Juuso Leinonen, Senior Project Officer, Device Evaluation, ECRI

Lab tour recording

Supplementary materials

Reported COVID-19 vaccine errors

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) encourages facilities to report vaccine errors to its voluntary error reporting system. Reported errors include the following:

• Dilution errors leading to under- or overdose of vaccine
• Mixing errors with two-component vaccines (diluent instead of vaccine or wrong diluent such as sterile water)
• Air injected into vial instead of diluent
• Storage issues (unsegregated vaccine brands in refrigerator)
• Wrong vaccine given for dose 2 (not checking/documenting in immunization information system)
• Administration to wrong age group
• Waste of vaccine and not taking advantage of over-fill in vaccine vials
• Errors in scheduling second dose
• Look-alike vials (vaccine-monoclonal antibody mix-up)
• Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)

Preventing errors with COVID-19 vaccines

• Verify competency of preparers and vaccinators (many are volunteers)
• Dispense pharmacy-prepared and labeled syringes when possible, or one person prepares and administers
• For mass vaccination, utilize a standard, organized process with independent double checks
• Maximize doses withdrawn from vials
• Separate vaccines in storage
• Plan for leftover vaccine
• Be prepared for allergic reactions
• Report vaccine errors and adverse reactions (U.S. requires reporting to VAERS); additional reporting to ISMP is voluntary
• Utilize immunization information systems

Additional resources

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Institute For Safe Medication Practices, U.S. Pharmacopeia: FAQ for Optimizing COVID-19 Vaccine Preparation and Safety

ECRI is here to help

Our interdisciplinary staff is here to help you address your most challenging issues in your response to COVID-19. We have compiled free resources in the ECRI COVID-19 Resource Center. Please contact us for assistance and to learn more. 

Return to the ECRI COVID-19 Resource Center

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