SOP for the Proper Technique for Withdraw of Liquids from Multiuse Vials or Bags

1. Scope

This SOP is a companion to Animal User Requirement #5, “Determining Expiration Dates for Substances Used in Research Animals,” and it applies to all personnel involved in activities that use live vertebrate animals for biomedical research and/or teaching purposes at UW-Madison facilities regardless of the funding source.

MATERIALS

DIRECTIONS

• Wash hands or put on clean exam gloves.
• Assemble needle and syringe.
• Check the label to make sure you have the correct substance/fluid type.
• Check the expiration date on the vial/fluid bag.
• • Do not use if past expiration date.
• Look at the vial/ fluid bag and check for:
• • Change in color
  • Small pieces floating in the liquid
  • Cloudiness
    If any of these are present discard the fluid or check with knowledgeable personnel before giving the injection.
• If this is the first time using the vial, remove cap or for fluids remove from protective pouch.
• Wipe the rubber top (septum) with alcohol.
• With the cap still on the needle, pull back on the plunger to the line on your syringe for your dose.
• • This will fill the syringe with air
• Carefully remove the cap from the needle.
• Insert the needle into the rubber top (septum) of the vial/fluid bag. Do not touch or bend the needle.
• Push the air into the vial/fluid bag.
• • This helps prevent a vacuum from forming when you try to withdraw the fluid.
• Turn the vial upside down or position the bag so that the fluid is above the needle inside the bag.
• Pull back on the plunger to withdraw the necessary fluid amount.
• • If needed gently tap on the barrel of the syringe to force air bubbles into the hub of the needle.
  • Push the plunger to put the air back into the vial/bag, and than carefully re-withdraw to the required fluid amount.
• Remove the syringe and needle from the vial/bag and give the injection.
• Dispose of the uncapped syringe and needle in the sharps container.