Qlicksmart CHECK CLIP - FAQ's |
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Six years ago the National Institute of Medicine made headlines when it estimated that medical mistakes kill as many as 98,000 American hospital patients each year. Now, at the behest of Congress, the Institute has followed up with a report specifically on medication errors -- the most frequent kind of medical mistake. After nearly two years of study, the Institute's experts estimate -- conservatively -- that 1.5 million Americans are harmed every year by medication mistakes. Medication errors take place every day in hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, nursing homes and pharmacies. The report says they cost society at least $3.5 billion a year. The medication errors referred to are otherwise known as Adverse Drug Events (ADEs) and are injuries to patients that result from the incorrect use of a medication or the correct use of the incorrect medication. ^Top |
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2. What's wrong with the current system? Approximately 140 Americans are killed each year due to syringe swap/ampoule swaps. CHECK CLIP helps to reduce this happening to your or your patients. Occupational Health & Safety risk - the sharp edge of the ampoule is left unprotected, and can cut fingers if a CHECK CLIP is not used. If current practice involves taping the ampoule to the syringe this can cover the drug/fluid name and the incremental marks on the syringe - making cross checking more difficult and time consuming. Tape can also prove difficult to use with gloves on and in wet conditions. Using a sticker or tape can be especially time consuming in an emergency situation, especially if multiple drugs are being given. ^Top 3. Why do I need the CHECK CLIP when we use medication labels to cross check drugs given? The use of syringe labels obscures vital information on the drug ampoule including drug, volume, concentration and expiry dates and also syringe increments. ^Top 4. What if the CHECK CLIP falls off the syringe or if the ampoule falls off the clip? The CHECK CLIP is designed to clip securely on luer-slip and luer-lock syringes with a one-way mechanical action (barbs) to prevent ampoules from dislodging. ^Top 5. Will it prevent the cannula/needle from being placed securely and perhaps dislodge the CHECK CLIP? No, the height of CHECK CLIP is 2mm, and it is designed to fit between the standard tolerances of luer syringes between the syringe tip base and the cannula or needle applied. If the cannula or needle is not applied correctly, it may dislodge regardless. ^Top 6. How many different types and sizes of the CHECK CLIP are there? Only one. The CHECK CLIP is designed to fit all brands and both types of syringes (luer and luer-lock) from 1 to 10mL. It will also fit both glass and plastic (polyamp) drug ampoules from 1 to 10mL. That's what makes CHECK CLIP so easy and versatile. ^Top No, the CHECK CLIP comes non-sterile in a box of 100 pieces. ^Top 8. Is the CHECK CLIP latex free? YES, it is latex free! The Qlicksmart CHECK CLIP is made of borealis polypropylene (PPE). ^Top 9. Could there be a cross infection issue during drug administration? The CHECK CLIP is a non-sterile single use device only and should only be used with fully drawn up medication from ampoules (partial doses from same amp not to be used later). Universal precautions should always be adopted as usual. ^Top 10. Will the barbs hook together with each other? The barbs may hook together in the box but are easily separated. ^Top 11. Will I be able to use the CHECK CLIP in wet conditions? Yes, the CHECK CLIP relies on the mechanical action of the clip onto the syringe and the barbs into the ampoule and therefore its use will not be effected by wet conditions. ^Top |
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