Development of Guidelines for Accurate Measurement of Small Volume Parenteral Products Using Syringes.

Background: Syringes are commonly used in pharmacy compounding for the measurement of small volumes, especially in the preparation of sterile products for injection and infusion. However, there are no current official guidelines for the proper use of syringes in measuring small volumes. Objective: The purpose of this project was to determine the accuracy and precision of commercially available syringes in measuring small volumes during sterile product preparation to make recommendations for syringe size selection. Methods: To assess precision and accuracy of syringes, 3 separate investigators measured 5%, 10%, or 20% (n = 30 each) of the volume of a 1-, 3-, 5-, 10-, or 20-mL syringe with an attached 18G, 1½" needle by drawing sterile water for injection from a vial. Delivered volumes were measured gravimetrically using an electronic balance and converted to volume using the specific gravity of water (1.0). Accuracy is represented as the mean and standard deviation, while precision is represented as percent relative standard deviation. Differences were assessed using a 1-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni adjustments and significance set at P < .05. Results: Precision and accuracy were highly variable and often significantly (P < .05) different compared to the theoretical volume delivered both within and between investigators. An increased likelihood of unacceptable error (>5%) was observed when less than 20% of the labeled capacity of a syringe was measured. Mean percent error ranged from 1.4% to 18.6%, despite manufacturer specification of ±5% accuracy, suggesting proper technique as a major factor in small-volume measurements. Conclusion: In addition to proper, validated training of syringe users, we recommend that users measure no less than 20% of the indicated volume of the syringe while choosing syringes as close as possible to the desired measurement. When possible, very small volumes should be diluted to meet the minimum volume of the smallest syringe available. Implementation of these recommendations will improve accurate dosing and, ultimately, patient safety.

A Pilot Study on an Interprofessional Course Involving Pharmacy and Dental Students in a Dental Clinic.

Objective. To assess the effect of a dental clinical rotation program involving pharmacy students and dental students. Methods. An interprofessional education (IPE) course was offered as an elective to second-year pharmacy students and required for third-year dental students. The course included two in-class sessions, one online lecture, and five clinic sessions. Program evaluation analyses included a comparison of participating versus nonparticipating students on a knowledge survey of pharmacotherapy and IPE, and a descriptive analysis of IPE course evaluation results. Results. Among pharmacy students, mean scores were significantly higher for participants than nonparticipants on the 31-item pharmacy knowledge component of the survey. On the eight-item IPE component of the survey, scores were significantly higher for participants than for nonparticipants, both among pharmacy students and among dental students. Awareness and attitudes about IPE were generally high among course participants. Conclusion. An IPE course that integrates second-year pharmacy students with third-year dental students in the dental clinic to provide medication history, education, and identification of potential drug-related problems improved pharmacy students' knowledge of pharmacotherapy related to or associated with dental conditions and improved pharmacy and dental students' knowledge and attitudes about IPE.

Characteristics, prevalence, attitudes, and perceptions of academic dishonesty among pharmacy students.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain background factors that influence pharmacy students' willingness to cheat, describe attitudes regarding methods of cheating, assess prevalence of cheating and determine atmospheres that may aid in preventing academic dishonesty. METHODS: Third-professional year PharmD students at 4 institutions participated in a survey administered by a class representative. RESULTS: Of the 296 students who completed survey instruments, 16.3% admitted to cheating during pharmacy school. Approximately 74% admitted that either they or their classmates had worked on an individual assignment with a friend. Students who cheated during high school or in a prepharmacy program were more likely to cheat during pharmacy school (p < 0.0001). Those who possessed a bachelor of science (BS) degree prior to pharmacy school were less likely to cheat (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Academic dishonesty is prevalent among pharmacy students. While few respondents directly admitted to cheating, many admitted to activities traditionally defined as dishonest.