Studies on in-use microbial contamination of multiple-dose vials
Olson, O.T.; Aslund, B.; Sandell, E.
Acta Pharmaceutica Suecica 15(6): 401-405
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6675 PMID: 749544 Document Number: 134644
Multi-dose injection vials were tested for sterility at different stages of use in the hospital. Only 2 of the containers examined were contaminated by Staphylococcus epidermidis, although almost 50% of the vials contained no preservative. The risk of contamination on withdrawal from injection vials ought to be very low. The use of this package form is not without problems. Withdrawal from ampoules involves a certain risk of contamination. The use of single-dose vials instead of ampoules should be considered.