Paiboon TummarintraPanop LimratanaKittiphong SujirattanawimolChatchawan SrisawatFaculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University2019-08-282019-08-282018-07-01Siriraj Medical Journal. Vol.70, No.4 (2018), 349-354222880822-s2.0-85057543212https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/46526© 2018, Siriraj Medical Journal. 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.Mahidol UniversityMedicineArticleSCOPUS10.14456/smj.2018.55