Pharmaceutical Waste Reduction Strategies

Use expired medications during education

First time administering pharmaceuticals may be challenging. Practice sessions will increase efficiencies but can be expensive to use medications from stock. Expired medications provide opportunities for practice during mock drills or educational modules.

Reduces Amount: Yes
Reduces Toxicity: No

Examples of Applying this Strategy

Generic Drug: Dantrolene sodium

Expired dantrolene sodium can be used for conducting educational drills in preparation for Malignant Hyperthermia crises. See the article: AORN Journal, March 2013, Vol. 97 No. 3, pp. 330-350. Continuing Education Contact Hours are available at http://www.oarn.org/CE. See also "AORN Malignant Hyperthermia Guideline" in the AORN Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices.

Proprietary Drug(s): Dantrium, Ravonto
Delivery Method(s): Intravenous (IV)

For more information:

Hirshey Dirksen SJ, Van Wicklin SA, Mashman DL, Neiderer P, Merritt DR. Developing effective drills in preparation for a malignant hyperthermia crisis. AORN J. 2013 Mar;97(3):329-53

Sharon J. Hirshey Dirksen, PhD

©2015 Healthcare Environmental Resource Center
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