EMS News Updates

By EMS Coordinator Mike McEvoy, Ph.D., NRP, RN, CCRN
NYSAFC EMS Committee

Meridian Issues Cyanokit Advisory
Meridian Medical Technologies, manufacturer of the Cyanokit® (hydroxocobalamin) cyanide antidote, has issued a letter to healthcare providers regarding a potential problem with the sterile transfer spike included in the kit. One user reported that the transfer spike did not easily fit into a Baxter 500 mL bag of saline. A copy of the letter sent to Cyanokit purchasers can be downloaded here (under "Miscellaneous Documents"). For a review of Cyanokit set-up and administration, see the Fire Engineering Training Minutes Video here.

FDA Rolls Out Drug Shortages App
The Food and Drug Administration released a mobile app, available for both Apple and Android devices, to allow rapid access to drug shortage information. The app, available by searching, "FDA Drug Shortages," allows users to browse shortages, search drug names and therapeutic categories, or report a shortage. For additional information, see the FDA press release here.