What is the recommended method for counting doses prepared from a multi-dose vial?

Establishing a digital log is the recommended method for counting doses prepared from a multi-dose vial because it provides an accurate, systematic, and easily accessible way to track and record the number of doses dispensed. A digital log minimizes the risk of human error associated with manual counting and can offer functionalities such as real-time updates and alerts for low supply or expiration dates.

This method also integrates well with electronic health records, enhancing patient safety and ensuring compliance with best practices for vaccine storage and administration. By using a digital approach, pharmacists can maintain a more reliable and organized record-keeping system that is essential for tracking multi-dose vials, especially in busy and dynamic healthcare environments.

Other methods such as using a tally system on paper, which can be susceptible to lost records and miscounts, or visual inspection, which may lead to inaccuracies due to subjective judgment, do not provide the same level of reliability. Marking the vial with a permanent marker could lead to contamination of the vial or confusion over the remaining doses and is not considered a best practice in a sterile environment.