Glass particle contamination due to ampule opening

Abstract Background: Breaking the head of ampules may cause glass particle contamination of the ampule contents, causing thrombosis and embolism when injected intravenously. Objective: To evaluate the probability of glass particle contamination and find out the best method to reduce glass contamination. Methods: Contents of the ampules were aspirated by syringes and collected in lab tubes. Each sample contained 36 tubes and each tube contained 5 ampules. The tubes were centrifuged and the last drop was examined by a microscope. Glass particles were counted in 5 fields of microscope by objective 10. Findings: The finding indicated that the mean of glass particles in lined-ampules was less than unlined ones (7.3 vs 15.5, P<0.01). When needles were used, the particles were less as compared to aspiration without needles (15.5 vs 17.9, P<0.05). The mean of glass particles was less when needles were placed 0.5cm above the bottom of ampules than placing them at the bottom of ampules (12.5 vs 14.1, P<0.05). Conclusion: We can reduce glass particle contamination of ampules contents by employing lined-ampules, using needles when aspirating the contents of ampules and not placing needles at the bottom of ampules.