Therapeutic Category
- Neuromuscular Blocker Agent, Nondepolarizing
- Skeletal Muscle Relaxant, Paralytic
Medication Safety Issues
Nimbex may be confused with NovoLOG
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) includes this medication among its list of drug classes (neuromuscular blocker agent) which have a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when used in error (High-Alert Medications in Acute Care Settings).
According to the 2020-2021 ISMP Targeted Medication Safety Best Practices for Hospitals, neuromuscular blockers should be segregated, sequestered, and differentiated from all other medication wherever they are stored. This includes:
Only storing in places within the hospital that they are routinely used.
Placing in sealed boxes or in rapid sequence intubation kits (preferred).
Limiting availability in automated dispensing cabinets to perioperative, labor and delivery, critical care, and emergency departments only.
Placing in separate lidded containers within the pharmacy refrigerator or other isolated pharmacy storage area.
Affixing an auxiliary label to clearly communicate respiratory paralysis will occur and ventilation required on all storage bins and/or automated dispensing pockets/drawers (exception anesthesia-prepared syringes) stating one of the following:
Warning: Causes Respiratory Arrest – Patient Must Be Ventilated
Warning: Paralyzing Agent – Causes Respiratory Arrest
Warning: Causes Respiratory Paralysis – Patient Must Be Ventilated
