Approved Hospital Formulary
Add Formweb to your mobile device
Approved Hospital Formulary
04/12/2021 sh EpiPen for Anaphylaxis
April 12, 2021
From: "Steven Higginbotham" <steven.higginbotham@hhsys.org>
To: "All Unit Directors" <allunitdirectors@hhsys.org>, "Charge Nurses" <grp_allchgnurses@hhsys.org>
Cc: "Michele Durda" <michele.durda@hhsys.org>
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2021 3:07:06 PM
Subject: EpiPen for Anaphylaxis
Beginning tomorrow, April 13th, all ADULT anaphylaxis orders for EPINEPHrine 0.3 mg IM entered into Cerner will be dispensed as an EPINEPHrine 0.3 mg/0.3 mL auto-injector (EpiPen) instead of an EPINEPHrine 1 mg/1 mL vial. This change will primarily impact the Main Emergency Department, but other units throughout the hospital will receive an EpiPen IF the order is entered into Cerner.
EpiPens will be stocked in the ED and Outpatient Medical Pyxis machines. Central Pharmacy will automatically dispense NOW and STAT orders for EpiPens to all other areas as needed. Please enter a med request and/or call Central Pharmacy at 58282 to obtain an EpiPen for a PRN order. Each pen contains a SINGLE 0.3 mg IM dose.
As always, EPINEPHrine 1 mg/1 mL (30 mL) vials will still be available in the crash cart for emergent use.
For anaphylaxis EPINEPHrine orders other than 0.3 mg and for ALL PEDIATRIC doses, a new "EPINEPHrine 1 mg/1 mL IM Kit" will be dispensed.
Each kit will include 1 of each of the following.......
- EPINEPHrine 1 mg/1 mL vial
- 1 mL slip tip syringe/needle combo for IM administration
- syringe label
- alcohol swab
I have attached a one page educational flyer on how to use an EpiPen.
Hopefully these changes will help to prevent the accidental IV administration of EPINEPHrine going forward.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.