Staff Challenge: National Patient Safety Goals

Medications prepared and used in the OR and other procedural areas must be labeled. The label should include the name of the medication, the strength, quantity, and diluents, if used, to include volume of diluents if it is not apparent from the container. Explain how and when date and time should be included on the label.

Answer: An expiration date should be included if the medication is not used within 24 hours; an expiration time should be included if medication expires in less than 24 hours.