Propofol shortage anyone?

Is this just a regional problem, or are other hospitals having a hard time getting an adequate supply of propofol? Ours is mostly on lockdown and what we have is allocated to the OR. They won't let the ICU doctors order it for ventilated patients because of the shortage. It's been a few months, and it's gotten really tiresome. The fent, versed, ativan, precedex gtts (whatever) just aren't as good. I think that our unplanned extubations have gone up as well.
Propofol ShortageYes, there is a nationwide shortage.We are using Propoven 1%

I've never used Propoven. I don't think anybody knows about it up here.Oh, I looked -- non-American propofol. I work for the Feds. I bet we won't import it.

Quote from CNL2BI think that our unplanned extubations have gone up as well.

Propoven 1% is dosed the same way as Propofol and is white but it is a bit different chemically.

We did have a problem about 2 weeks ago. We have some now. We were using some of the same drugs mention in a previous post. No they are not as affective. You may have to think about the patient who a renal and heart failure...the concentration is very important.

Propofol is used sparingly in our ICU. We have switched to Precedex.

Quote from CNL2BIs this just a regional problem, or are other hospitals having a hard time getting an adequate supply of propofol? Ours is mostly on lockdown and what we have is allocated to the OR. They won't let the ICU doctors order it for ventilated patients because of the shortage. It's been a few months, and it's gotten really tiresome. The fent, versed, ativan, precedex gtts (whatever) just aren't as good. I think that our unplanned extubations have gone up as well.

Just yesterday got a work email stating a national shortage of epi and that the code carts would only be stocked with 3-4 syringes and that the docs are being instructed to use vasopressin instead.

Interesting about the amps of Epi. Do you think that the docs are OK with that since in the ACLS algorithm you can only use vasopressin once? (not that the docs can't use it more, but with the new interns using their little flow sheet cards, it might get interesting)In our unit we are almost exclusively using the Versed/Fentanyl combo that works pretty poorly IMHO. We have a very limited amount of propofol in the pyxis; it just sits there daring us to use it through the clear doors!

Quote from kc BSN studentIn our unit we are almost exclusively using the Versed/Fentanyl combo that works pretty poorly IMHO. We have a very limited amount of propofol in the pyxis; it just sits there daring us to use it through the clear doors!

well, shoot, dont I feel just peachy now. not out there working (currently working on my pre-reqs for lpn to bsn, UGH), so I didnt know there was a shortage. someone very near n dear to my heart (lol) is having a "procedure" this friday, supposedly under the "please knock me out cold" comfort of this drug. crap crap crap.hmmmm, should be interesting to see what will actually be used. I think this falls under "nurses & doctors can be the worst patients".

We have been out of Propofol for about 3-4 weeks. We have been mostly using Fentanyl & Versed gtts. I think the big problem is our shortage of D50 amps, epi, & bicarb amps. It's time consuming to draw up during a code.