Best Practice #1 FAQ

Best Practice #1: Dispense vinCRIStine (and other vinca alkaloids) in a minibag of compatible solution and not in a syringe. 

1. Question: We are trying to implement Best Practice #1 to dispense vinCRIStine (and other vinca alkaloids) in a minibag. However, we have concerns about the excessive loss of drug that remains in the intravenous (IV) tubing after administration. The loss of drug in the tubing exceeds the 5% dose variability acceptable for our chemotherapy doses per our hospital policy. The tubing contains 7 mL of volume and that is more than 10% of the 50 mL for an adult dose. For pediatrics, if we dispense vinCRIStine in a minibag with 25 mL, losing 7 mL of the 25 mL dose is not acceptable either. What are other facilities doing to avoid excessive drug loss in the tubing?

Answer: To prevent excessive drug loss, some organizations are utilizing a “back flushing” method to infuse the volume of drug that may remain in the IV tubing. A similar sized bag for the back flushing, such as a 25 mL bag of 0.9% sodium chloride is used for both adults and pediatric patients.

If the patient does not have a central line, vinCRIStine administration and the back flushing method are done by gravity when administered through a peripheral line. (An infusion pump is not recommended by the Oncology Nursing Society [ONS] to administer vinCRIStine in this situation.1) The administration of vinCRIStine includes connecting the bag of 0.9% sodium chloride to a long infusion set as the primary line. The minibag of vinCRIStine, using a shorter infusion set, is connected to the Y-site closest to the patient. (Closed system transfer devices are also utilized to ensure the vinCRIStine does not leak out of the system.) The vinCRIStine is infused via gravity through the peripheral line. Once the infusion is complete, the short set is dropped to backfill the line with sodium chloride and then the remaining drug is infused. 

Reference

  1. Olsen MM, LeFebvre KB, Brassil KJ. Administration considerations. In: Olsen MM, LeFebvre KB, Brassil KJ, eds. Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice. Oncology Nursing Society; 2019:193-233.  

Rev. 1/12/2024

2. Question: Will administering vinCRIStine in a minibag increase the risk of extravasation?

Answer: Some practitioners have expressed concern that administering diluted intravenous (IV) vinCRIStine via a minibag might increase the risk of extravasation and subsequent tissue injury. However, data suggests that the risk of extravasation is low, regardless of the method used to administer the drug. A study in Australia involving 68 cancer centers that evaluated more than 44,000 doses of vinca alkaloids administered via syringe or minibag to adult and pediatric patients, found that the extravasation rates were similar and low—0.03% with syringes and 0.04% with minibags.1 Preliminary data from another study conducted in children and adults found no cases of extravasation during administration via minibags.2 The risk of extravasation injury doesn’t compare to the risk of severe neurological injury and near certain death resulting from the intrathecal administration of vinca alkaloids. Also, dilution of the vinca alkaloid likely reduces the impact of any extravasation that might occur.

The Oncology Nursing Society3 recommends administering IV vinCRIStine and other vinca alkaloids via a minibag to prevent errors with intrathecal chemotherapy administration. The organization also recommends a multidisciplinary review of the process regarding the preparation and administration of vinCRIStine in each practice setting.

When the institution implements the use of minibags to administer vinCRIStine, the following nursing guidelines should be followed to further reduce the risk of harm from extravasation.

  • If using a peripheral vein, allow the infusion to flow via gravity. Use of an infusion pump is discouraged because it increases the amount of pressure on the vein, which raises the risk of extravasation. 

  • Watch for signs of extravasation; stay with the patient and verify blood return every 5 to 10 minutes.

  • Use a central venous catheter or implanted device for continuous vesicant infusions or for any vesicant infusion lasting longer than 30 minutes. Monitor for extravasation according to hospital policy.

     

References

  1. Gilbar PJ, Carrington CV. The incidence of extravasation of vinca alkaloids supplied in syringes or mini-bags. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2006;12(2):113-8.
  2. Nurgat ZA, Smythe M, Al-Jedai A, et al. Introduction of vincristine mini-bags and an assessment of the subsequent risk of extravasation. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2015;21(5):339-47.

  3. Olsen MM, LeFebvre KB, Brassil KJ. Administration considerations. In: Olsen MM, LeFebvre KB, Brassil KJ, eds. Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice. Oncology Nursing Society; 2019:193-233.

  Rev. 1/12/2024

3. Question: Is the dilution of vinCRIStine in a minibag stable?

Answer: Yes, the product is stable and should be dispensed in a minibag. According to the manufacturer, solutions diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride at concentrations from 0.0015 mg/mL to 0.08 mg/mL and stored at 25°C (77°F) are stable for up to 24 hours when protected from light or 8 hours at normal light conditions. Solutions diluted for infusion in 0.9% sodium chloride or dextrose 5% in water (20 mcg/mL concentration) are reported to be stable for up to 21 days at 4°C (39.2°F) and 25°C (77°F) if protected from light (Beijnen 1989), although the vinCRIStine formulation may have changed since this stability study was conducted. Follow USP <797> recommendations for beyond use dates based on the level of risk for preparation.1

The Hospira brand of vinCRIStine sulfate injection, USP (preservative-free) 1 mg/mL vialprescribing information2 states:

Preparation for flexible plastic container

VinCRIStine sulfate injection, USP when diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride injection in concentrations from 0.0015 mg/mL to 0.08 mg/mL is stable for up to 24 hours when protected from light or 8 hours under normal light at 25°C.

References

  1. Lexicomp: Wolters Kluwer. 2024. Updated January 3, 2024. Accessed January 17, 2024. 

  2. VinCRIStine sulfate. Prescribing information. Hospira; 2023. Accessed January 12, 2024. 

Rev. 1/12/2024

4. Question: Our pediatric department is reluctant to administer vinCRIStine via a minibag through a peripheral IV line since many of our patients do not have a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) or central venous access device. What do you recommend?

Answer: For those patients who do not have a PICC or central venous access device, a peripheral IV line can still be used to administer vinCRIStine in a minibag. The practice of monitoring the administration of vinCRIStine and other vinca alkaloids in a minibag to avoid extravasation via a peripheral IV is essentially the same as if it was administered IV push. Please refer to FAQ Question #1 and the ONS guidelines1 for special considerations for vesicant administration through a peripheral IV site.

Reference

  1. Olsen MM, LeFebvre KB, Brassil KJ. Administration considerations. In: Olsen MM, LeFebvre KB, Brassil KJ, eds. Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice. Oncology Nursing Society; 2019:193-233.

Rev. 1/12/2024

5. Question: How do you recommend that we verify blood return when administering vinCRIStine in a minibag?

Answer: According to the Oncology Nursing Society,1 the easiest way to check for a blood return is to use gravity by lowering the minibag below the IV site. Another option is to aspirate with a syringe via the lowest Y-site and clamp off fluid from the minibag. Do not pinch the IV administration tubing because this can cause the vein to rupture. 

Reference

  1. Olsen MM, LeFebvre KB, Brassil KJ. Administration considerations. In: Olsen MM, LeFebvre KB, Brassil KJ, eds. Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice. Oncology Nursing Society; 2019:193-233.

Rev. 1/12/2024

6. Question: Is it just as safe to prepare vinCRIStine in a large volume (30-50 mL) syringe as in a minibag?

Answer: ISMP does not recommend the use of large volume syringes as an acceptable alternative to the minibag. Errors have still been reported with the use of large volume syringes, although usually with 10 or 20 mL syringes.1 

Reference

  1. Gilbar P. Inadvertent intrathecal administration of vincristine: has anything changed? J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2012;18(1):155-7.

Rev. 3/10/2014

7. Question: Wouldn’t the administration of vinCRIStine IV push using a syringe be much shorter in duration and with less chance of extravasation than administration using a minibag?

Answer: 

In regard to duration of administration: It is true that the process of administering a vinca alkaloid via a syringe is probably of shorter duration when compared to administering via a minibag. This decision must be weighed in light of the increased risk of certain death if the drug is administered via the wrong route. Having practitioners spend a few additional minutes during the administration process using a minibag is the only safe choice to be made to prevent harm. 

In regard to the risk of extravasation: There have been studies comparing extravasation rates between these two administration techniques, which have similar results.1,2 Recognize that when a vinca alkaloid is prepared in a minibag, it is likely more dilute than in a syringe, and thus the impact of tissue injury is even less if extravasation should occur. Most importantly, organizations must weigh the risk of possible extravasation versus near certain death from the accidental administration of vinCRIStine via the wrong route when making decisions about changing practice. 

References

  1. Gilbar PJ, Carrington CV. The incidence of extravasation of vinca alkaloids supplied in syringes or mini-bags. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2006;12(2):113-8. 

  2. Gilbar P, Chambers CR, Larizza M. Medication safety and the administration of intravenous vincristine: International survey of oncology patients. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2015;21(1):10-8.

Rev. 1/12/2024