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20-Feb-13 8:15 AM CST | ||
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Warning Issued Concerning Glacial Acetic Acid |
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Pharmacy staff and other healthcare providers may not be aware that the solution is called ‘glacial’ acetic acid because at its freezing point acetic acid forms crystals which in turn resemble a glacier. There is unfortunately sometimes confusion with the name of the product - causing ordering staff to place an order for the wrong solution and unintentionally caused harm to patients because they did not know that glacial acetic acid should be diluted.
To prevent harm to patients the following advice is given concerning the acid. Note not all suggestions could be listed here due to space.
Please take these suggestions seriously as they can help reduce medical error and patient harm. For a full list of suggestions concerning glacial acetic acid, pharmacy technicians may go to http://www.ismp.org/NAN/files/20130121.pdf
Sources:
1. “Glacial Acetic Acid Does Not Belong in pharmacies.” ASHP. Web. 28 Jan 2013.
2. National Alert Network Reports. “Warning! Severe burns and permanent scarring after glacial acetic acid mistakenly applied topically.” ISMP and National Medication Errors Reporting Program. Web. 23 Jan 2013.
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For additional information on this article, please contact: | ||
Jennifer S. O'Reilly | ||
Source: NPTAnews | ||
http://www.pharmacytechnician.org | ||
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