Lorazepam Injection Shortage 12.5.18

To:            Physicians, Nursing, Pharmacy

From:     Alan Mader, Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator

Date:      12/5/2018

Re:   Lorazepam Injection Shortage

SituationLorazepam 2mg/mL 1 mL vials are on manufacturer on backorder.   The estimated re-supply date of November 2018 has already been exceeded.  Other projections for release include December 2018 to January 2019, with others extending to January 2020.
BackgroundLorazepam 2 mg/mL 10 mL vials have been on backorder since November 2017.
AssessmentThe addition of the 1 mL vials to backorder status severely limits availability of lorazepam injection.  While the pharmacy maintains some supply of lorazepam injection, the probability of depletion of stock before repletion is high.  Use of other benzodiazepines may become necessary.
RecommendationFor patients who currently require lorazepam, please consider use of the PO route whenever possible.

While there are no direct dose conversions between benzodiazepines, please consider the following information on pharmacokinetics to aid in selection of an alternative:

MedicationOnset

IV (minutes)

Onset

IM (minutes)

Duration

IV

(hours)

Duration

IM

(hours)

T ½

(Hours)

Active metabolites
Diazepam

(currently available in MDV’s only)

1 to 5Slow and erratic absorption0.3 to 0.5Slow and erratic absorption20 to120Yes
Lorazepam5 to 2015 to 306 to 86 to 88 to15No
Midazolam

5 mg/1 mL

5 mg/5 mL

2 mg/2mL

1 to 55 to 15≤22*3 to 11Yes

Pharmacologic effect of Midazolam may last up to 6 hours in some patients

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Drug Shortage 0.45% NS Liter Bags 11.27.18

To:            Nursing, Pharmacy, Physician Staff

From:     Maryna Shayuk, Chair Pharmacy and Therapeutics

Alan Mader, Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator

Date:        11/27/18

Re:            Drug Shortage:  0.45% NS liter bags

S

Situation

0.45% NS in liter bags have been placed on shortage at this time.
B

Background

This shortage was unexpected and was announced today.
A

Assessment

Substitution during this shortage will be necessary
R

Recommendation

Pharmacy will utilize the following plan to substitute orders written for 0.45% NS:

0.45% NaCl to 0.9% NaCl – for pre & post-surgery.

If patient is hypernatremic, substitute with Lactated Ringers.

All other orders call MD.

Pharmacy services will place “Substituted for ________” in the comment section of the Paragon order so that nursing is aware of the change.

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*UPDATE* – OB Severe Hypertension order set modified to include Magnesium Sulfate and other changes.

The revised version of OB Severe Hypertension Order Set now includes Magnesium Sulfate along with other changes within. The changes have been made to both McHenry and Huntley order sets.  To access this order set:

  • Log into Paragon Clinician Hub
  • Click on the patient profile
  • Navigate to “Ordering” tab
  • Click on “Search” and on the search bar, type in “OB Severe Hypertension”.

Please review the image below to identify some of the changes.

 

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**Update** – New Bariatric Admission Post Op and Discharge Orders activated at Huntley

The new Bariatric Admission Post Op and Discharge Orders are now activated only at Huntley. If you would like to utilize these order sets for a Huntley patient, use the following steps:

  1. Open patient profile by clicking on their name
  2. Click on the “Ordering” tab on the top
  3. Click on “Search” tab, next to Order Queue
  4. Type in “Bariatric Admission Post Op” and “Bariatric Discharge Orders”  to utilize these order sets.

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**Update** – VTE Prophylaxis for Order Sets has been improved

VTE Prophylaxis for Order Sets has been improved to now include:

  • Pharmacologic VTE Prophylaxis title
  • Streamlined choices between Section A and Section B.
    • Section A: Available Pharmacologic orders to choose from.
    • Section B: To provide a reason from the list for NOT ordering a Pharmacologic order.
  • Specific information added in the pop up box to provide the section to review when a selection is not complete.

All Order Sets with VTE module will be updated over a two-week period. Please review the images below for an in depth VTE Prophylaxis Usage Guide.

 

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