Eyeworld

34 | EYEWORLD | JUNE 2022 ASCRS NEWS clarify to its surveyors that multidose eye drop bottles are not subject to the 28-day expiration policy that applies to injectable solutions. As part of their collaboration with our Task Force, the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN) published an updated multidose eye drop application protocol on its website. 6 Dr. Palmer previously led efforts to enact legislation in Illinois to enable surgical patients to bring partially used topical medication home for postoperative use, when appropriate. In 2021, the American Medical Association House of Delegates unanimously adopted a modification of the Illinois resolution titled "Permitting the Dispensing of Stock Medications for Post-Discharge Use and the Safe Use of Multidose Eyedrops on Multiple patients," which had been endorsed by multiple specialty societies, including AAO, ASCRS, AGS, and ASORN. The OICS Task Force distilled its research into a po- sition statement with three recommendations to reduce unnecessary drug waste with ophthalmic surgery (see box). Endorsed by ASCRS, AAO, AGS, and OOSS, this document was released on April 6, and was posted on each society's website and on EyeSustain.org. Documenting the policies of multiple regulatory and accreditation agencies, this evidence-based paper clarifies that multidose bottles can be used on multiple patients and need not be arbi- trarily discarded at the end of the day, the week, or the month. The paper also stated the Task Force consensus that surgical patients requiring a topical medication not used for other patients should be allowed to bring that partially used medication home for postoperative use. continued from page 32 Recommendations endorsed by ASCRS, AAO, AGS, and OOSS 1. Topical drugs in multidose containers can be used on multiple patients in surgical facilities if proper guidelines are followed. 2. Topical drugs in multidose containers can be used until the manufacturer's labeled date of expiration if proper guidelines are followed. 3. When applicable, patients should be able to bring their partially used medication home for postoperative use.

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