The Contamination of Intravenous Fluid by Felt-Tip Marking Pen Ink: A Pilot Study

Authors

  • Paiboon Tummarintra
  • Panop Limratana
  • Kittiphong Sujirattanawimol
  • Chatchawan Srisawat

Keywords:

Ink; marking pen ink; pilot study

Abstract

Objective: The practice of writing directly on infusion bags with felt-tip marking pen was suggested to cause
contaminations. Recommendation against such practice has been published by manufacturers and health care
authorities. A chromatography-based laboratory experiment was conducted to substantiate the possibility of ink
constituents permeation through Polyvinylchloride (PVC) infusion bag.
Methods: A Viaflex® intravenous infusion bag was marked with a blue Artline® marking pen ink. Fluid samples
were obtained at different time intervals and tested for any contaminations. A gas chromatography with mass
spectrometry capability system was used to analyse fluid samples from infusion bag.
Results: Five fluid samples were obtained from the infusion bag at 0, 10, 30, 60, 120 minutes after ink exposure.
Chromatograms from each sample were compared with a chromatogram from “blank” intravenous solution. There
appeared to be no chromatographic evidence of ink constituents present in all intravenous fluid samples.
Conclusion: The practice of writing directly on Viaflex® infusion bags with a felt-tip marking pen has not resulted
in contamination of intravenous fluid by ink constituents.

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Published

07-11-2018

How to Cite

Tummarintra, P., Limratana, P., Sujirattanawimol, K., & Srisawat, C. (2018). The Contamination of Intravenous Fluid by Felt-Tip Marking Pen Ink: A Pilot Study. Siriraj Medical Journal, 70(4), 349–354. Retrieved from https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/sirirajmedj/article/view/153939

Issue

Vol. 70 No. 4 (2018): July-August

Section

Original Article

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