ASSESSMENT OF VANCOMYCIN CONCENTRATIONS IN SYRINGES PREPARED WITHIN A WARD SETTING.

Aim: Vancomycin is used as a second line antibiotic in the treatment of late onset neonatal infection for its activity against coagulase negative staphylococci. Vancomycin infusions are prepared within a ward setting for administration to neonates. Differences in preparation techniques on the ward have previously been recognised as a potential source of variation in vancomycin concentrations, as compared to concentrations in pre-made preparations.

COMPARISON OF HYDROCORTISONE 10 MG TABLETS: TABLET HARDNESS OPTIMISED FOR ADULT USE HAS NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR PAEDIATRIC USE.

Background: Children's medicines are not always readily available as an age appropriate product and manipulation of adult products is often required. Recently the commercial manufacturing process for 10 mg hydrocortisone tablets has changed and the compression force increased due to tablets fracturing on removal from the blister pack. However, this change led to parents of children requiring hydrocortisone reporting that the tablets were more difficult to manipulate.