
Add a Label, Potentially Save a Life
Accidentally left undiluted, potassium chloride for injection concentrate, if dosed in IV form, can stop a patient’s heart and result in a fatal outcome. The possibility is all too real following the product’s recent repackaging from glass bottles to IV bags.
To reduce this potentially lethal administration risk, attach preprinted warning labels on both sides of the IV bag. Doing so satisfies the recommendation by the Institute for Safe Medicine Practices (ISMP) to attach large, bold auxiliary warnings to overwrap on both sides of all bags (ISMP NAN Alert, May 2022) and enhance proper identification of the product’s new presentation. “Fatal if Infused” and “Not for Infusion” labels are each available in two size options.
Raise awareness for packaging changes that can lead to fatal administration outcomes. A few seconds is all it takes to add a label and potentially save a life.