Pharmacy specific orders / instructions always supersede the Agency guidance provided below. If in doubt, do not guess, call our office, or tag @TeamHelp-CareCoordination(Best Tag) and ask for Clinical Support.
ALWAYSÂ make sure you have everything you need to complete infusion before you begin
ALWAYSÂ confirm your medication dose against the medication label and orders
ALWAYSÂ reach out to us first (not the Pharmacy) with any questions
NEVERÂ tell a Pt you have not given a particular medication before
MIXING
Obtain a clear/clean space to prepare the ZOLADEX
Be sure all the necessary supplies are available to complete infusion from beginning to end:
You will need Prefilled syringe and convenience container (contains gauze, alcohol wipe and bandage) and Sharps container
Remove the SafeSystem Syringe from the pouch and ensure that at least part of the implant is visible by holding the syringe at a slight angle to the light
The implant is not a liquid so you don’t need to remove air from the syringe and attempts to do so may displace the ZOLAXEX implant
Grasp the red plastic safety tab and gently peel it up and away from the plunger, and discard it and remove the needle cover
ADMINISTRATION
Take baseline vitals and document basic assessment
Ensure patient is in a comfortable position, with the upper part of the body slightly raised
Caution should be taken while injecting ZOLADEX into the anterior abdominal wall due to the proximity of underlying inferior epigastric artery and its branches.
Clean an area of the anterior abdominal wall, below the naval line, using aseptic technique
Pinch the patient’s skin and with the bevel of the needle facing up, grasp the protective sleeve of the syringe with the pointer finger, middle finger and thumb and insert the needle at a 30 – 45-degree angle to the skin in one continuous motion until the protective sleeve touches the skin
If the hypodermic needle penetrates a large vessel, blood will be seen instantly in the syringe chamber. If a vessel is penetrated, withdraw the needle and inject with a new syringe elsewhere. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms of abdominal hemorrhage
Do not penetrate into muscle or peritoneum.
While continuing to pinch the patient’s abdomen, move your fingers back to the syringe finger grip and place your thumb on the plunger. Depress the plunger fully, until you cannot depress it any further, to deliver the implant
The SafeSystem will be activated as you withdraw the needle
The protective sleeve will deploy and cover the syringe
Monitor patient for any adverse reactions
Record vitals 5-10 minutes post injection
Record lot numbers and expiration date for medication
Place bandage at site if needed
Clean and dispose of used supplies
ADDITIONAL INFO
HCP Website: Zoladex HCP
Prescribing Info:Â Â Zoladex PI
Administration Guide:Â Â Zoladex Dosing-AdministrationÂ
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