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Storage conditions of oxytocin in a tropical climate in a low‐income country
Author(s) -
Vries Ella Larissa,
Tetering Anne Antonia Cornelia,
Hout M. Beatrijs,
Derijks Luc Jozef Johannes,
Sseguya Simon Peter,
Namagembe Imelda,
Byamugisha Josaphat,
Oei S. Guid
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1002/ijgo.13505
Subject(s) - medicine , oxytocin , tropical climate , referral , maximum temperature , toxicology , emergency medicine , nursing , atmospheric sciences , geography , archaeology , biology , geology
Objective To establish the storage conditions of oxytocin in a health facility in a low‐income country with a tropical climate, as suboptimal storage may lead to ineffectiveness of drugs essential to prevent and treat postpartum hemorrhage. Methods At Mulago National Referral Hospital (28 000–33 000 deliveries/year) in Kampala, Uganda, temperature logging Safe‐Rx cards were placed in boxes of oxytocin and in every known storage location. The route of the boxes through the hospital was tracked for 54 days, and storage conditions were observed. Results Oxytocin was stored within the recommended temperature range (2°C–8°C) 24% of the time. The average temperature measured within the oxytocin boxes was 18.2°C, with a minimum of –2.3°C and maximum of 30.4°C. Six out of twelve known storage places had a refrigerator, but not one location stored medication at the recommended temperature constantly. The average temperature in the storage places ranged from 9.5°C to 27.6°C, with a minimum temperature of 2.3°C and maximum of 30.9°C. Conclusion Oxytocin is not stored in the recommended temperature range for the majority of time. The presence of refrigerators does not ensure adherence to advised temperature storage conditions.