Distorted syringe markings, highlighting the risk of medication errors.

Syringe Error: Are Your Medications Accurately Dosed?

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A call for vigilance: How inaccurate syringe markings can compromise patient safety and what you can do to ensure accurate medication delivery."

Medication errors are a serious concern in healthcare, and sometimes, the very tools we rely on can contribute to the problem. A published case highlights a disturbing issue: inaccurate markings on syringes that can lead to under-dosing, with potentially dangerous consequences for patients.

The original research, published in the Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, details a case where a 23-year-old woman was undergoing a cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. The anesthesiology resident prepared the medication, but a consultant noticed something was off. Upon closer inspection, the syringe markings were inaccurate, leading to a significantly lower dose than intended.

This incident underscores a critical need for vigilance and quality control when it comes to medical equipment. Medication errors related to inaccurate syringes can have serious implications, especially in sensitive situations like spinal anesthesia. Let's examine the risks involved and how you can protect yourself or your loved ones.

The Hidden Dangers of Inaccurate Syringes

Distorted syringe markings, highlighting the risk of medication errors.

The case described in the research highlights a critical issue, inaccurate syringe markings can have potentially devastating consequences. When a syringe indicates a certain volume, healthcare providers rely on that measurement to deliver the correct dosage. If the markings are off, patients may receive too little medication, leading to inadequate treatment, or too much, causing potential toxicity.

In the case of spinal anesthesia, precision is paramount. The research emphasizes that the amount of drug needed to achieve the required block level is critical. Under-dosing, due to inaccurate syringe markings, could result in:

Inadequate pain relief
Early wearing off of the anesthesia
The need for intraoperative conversion to general anesthesia, which carries its own risks

Beyond spinal anesthesia, the researchers point out that similar errors with other emergency drugs, like atropine in bradycardia or adrenaline in anaphylaxis, could lead to life-threatening situations. Even seemingly small discrepancies in syringe markings can have a significant impact on patient outcomes.

Protecting Yourself and Ensuring Accurate Dosing

While the responsibility for accurate medication delivery primarily lies with healthcare professionals, patients and their advocates can also play a crucial role in preventing errors. Here are some steps you can take:

<ul><li>Always verify: Don't hesitate to ask your healthcare provider to double-check the medication and dosage before administration.</li><li>Speak up: If something doesn't seem right, voice your concerns. Trust your instincts.</li><li>Understand your medications: Know the name, dosage, and intended effect of any medication you're receiving.</li><li>Report any concerns: If you suspect a medication error, report it to the appropriate authorities, such as the hospital's patient safety department.</li></ul>

The case of the inaccurate syringe markings serves as a reminder that vigilance and quality control are essential in healthcare. By working together, healthcare professionals and patients can minimize the risk of medication errors and ensure safer outcomes for everyone.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2018.09.023, Alternate LINK

Title: Under-Dosing Of Drug Due To Inaccurate Syringe Markings: Vigilance And Quality Control-The Need Of The Hour

Subject: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Journal: Journal of Clinical Anesthesia

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Suma R. Ahmad, Chitta R. Mohanty, Anirudh Elayat

Published: 2019-02-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why are inaccurate syringe markings a problem?

Inaccurate syringe markings can lead to medication errors because healthcare providers rely on the markings to deliver the correct dosage. When the syringe markings are off, patients may receive too little or too much medication, leading to inadequate treatment or potential toxicity. This issue is significant because it directly impacts patient safety, especially in critical situations like spinal anesthesia where precision is paramount.

What are the potential dangers of inaccurate syringe markings?

The most dangerous implications of inaccurate syringe markings are the potential for under-dosing or over-dosing of medications. Under-dosing, as highlighted in the case of spinal anesthesia, can lead to inadequate pain relief and the need for further interventions, such as conversion to general anesthesia. Over-dosing can lead to toxicity. These errors can have serious consequences, especially when dealing with emergency drugs.

Why is precision important in spinal anesthesia and how can inaccurate markings affect it?

In spinal anesthesia, precision in medication dosage is crucial. Inaccurate syringe markings can lead to under-dosing, which could result in inadequate pain relief, early wearing off of the anesthesia, and the necessity of converting to general anesthesia during surgery. The case in the research emphasizes how critical the amount of drug needed to achieve the required block level is for patient well-being.

How can patients help ensure they receive the correct medication dosage?

Patients can play a crucial role in preventing errors. Healthcare professionals have primary responsibility for accurate medication delivery, but patients can advocate for their own safety. Patients should always question any medication dosage or delivery method if they have concerns, and they can request verification of the dose from a second healthcare professional if they feel uncertain about a medication.

How do inaccurate syringe markings affect the medication administration process?

Inaccurate syringe markings affect the medication administration process by potentially causing medication errors. If the markings are incorrect, the volume of medication administered will be wrong. This can cause under-dosing which can cause inadequate pain relief or over-dosing which can lead to potential toxicity. The issue is compounded by the reliance healthcare providers place on syringe markings during medication preparation and delivery.