How should ampules be handled to avoid contamination?

The handling of ampules to avoid contamination is a critical aspect of ensuring patient safety and maintaining the integrity of the medication. Discarding ampules after a single use is the correct practice because once an ampule is opened, its contents are exposed to the environment, potentially introducing contaminants such as bacteria or airborne particles. This exposure increases the risk of infection or medication contamination, which can have serious consequences.

Using ampules multiple times or not disposing of them correctly can facilitate bacterial growth or cross-contamination, which compromises the sterility of future doses and can harm patients. Therefore, the standard procedure is to always use each ampule only once and promptly discard any opened ampules that are not completely used.

In contrast, handling ampules without proper protective equipment, using damaged ones, or storing them in non-sterile conditions all introduce significant risks of contamination and should be avoided to maintain the highest standards of hygiene and patient safety.