Drug preparation is an irreplaceable part of hospital practices and carries major risks which are often underestimated.
Not only the reason for a patient’s hospitalisation is a concern, they also face risks of microbiological contamination, medication error or DEHP exposure 5-7 during the length of their stay. Additionally, healthcare workers are also confronted with risks, such as chemical contamination1-3 and sharps injuries.4 Literature demonstrates that these risks not only lead to health consequences 1-4, they might also burden hospital expenditures. Understanding these risks, B. Braun developed Ecoflac® Drug Admixture System which supports needle-free handling8, minimises number of steps9 and reduces hospital waste10.
Today we ask: Why Not Reduce The Risks?
Why Not?
Ecoflac® plus
Ecoflac® plus is a self collapsing IV container that is PVC/DEHP free and compatible with a variety of needle-free admixture devices. The Ecoflac® Plus container is available in a number of sizes: 1000 mL, 500 mL, 250 ml, 100 mL and 50 mL.
Ecoflac® plus combines the benefits of a bag and those of a bottle in an easy to handle container. This offers a clear label for reading and there is no need to vent during use.
Ecoflac® Mix
Ecoflac® Mix is a transfer cap for admixing pharmaceuticals between Ecoflac® plus containers and standard size medication vials. It provides a stable connection between the container and the vial.
Ecoflac® Drug Admixture System
Order Sample Kit
Handling Instructions
1. Hadtstein C. Employer's Liability Insurance Association For Health And Welfare Services [BGW], 2009
2. NIOSH. (2004) Preventing Occupational Exposures to Antineoplastic and other Hazardous Drugs in Healthcare Settings.
3. Mälkönen T, Jolanki R, Alanko K, Luukkonen R, Aalto-Korte K, Lauerma A, Susitaival P. A 6-month follow-up study of 1048 patients diagnosed with an occupational skin disease. Contact Dermatitis 2009; 61(5): 261-8
4. Prüss-Üstün A, Rapiti E, Hutin Y. Sharps injuries: global burden of disease from sharps injuries to health-care workers. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2003 (WHO Environmental Burden of Disease Series, No. 3).
5. Gabriel J. Infusion therapy. Part two: Prevention and management of complications. Nurs Stand. 2008; 22(32): 41-8
6. Williams DJP (2007) Medication errors. J R Coll Physicians Edinb 37: 343-346
7. European Commission Health & Consumer Protection Directorate General. Adopted by Scienti c Committee on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices. OPINION ON: Medical Devices Containing DEHP; Plasticised PVC; Neonates and Other Groups Possibly at Risk from DEHP; Toxicity. European Commission 1-34, 2002
8. The needle-free design of Ecoflac® plus eliminates the risks linked with manipulation of sharps.
9. Penelope Collins, Miriam Jones, Karlee Boulton, Neil Keen, The Canberra Hospital, ACT. "Time, safety and cost benefits of a new intravenous additive system', presented at the 35th SHPA National Conference, 1215 - 1230 / Meeting Room 7, November 2009.
10.PVC-free Ecoflac® plus is 100% recyclable, containers have no outer packaging so they produce a lower amount of waste. Data on file.