Abstract: Objective To find out how nitroglycerin is currently stored after unsealing, analyze the risks to the storage, and recommend countermeasures so as to ensure the clinical efficacy of nitroglycerin. Methods The way in which nitroglycerin was stored after unsealing was investigated through a site survey of nitroglycerin-related drugs of the basic amount in the wards of our hospital on June 1, 2021, a telephone questionnaire survey of outpatients using nitroglycerin in our hospital in August 2021, and a nationwide Wenjuanxing questionnaire survey of health care providers from June 23 to September 30, 2021. Results There were thirty-two wards in our hospital that stored a basic amount of nitroglycerin, in four of which nitroglycerin was stored in oral sub-packaged plastic bags as well as the shelf life in twenty-nine of these wards was marked as thirty-six months (as in the instructions), which were incorrect. There were sixty-seven patients surveyed via the questionnaire, including forty-three males and twenty-four females whose average age was 65 (37 to 90) years. There were fifty-one people aged 60 and over. Sixty-one of these people did not use nitroglycerin for the first time. Patients who carried nitroglycerin in their pockets accounted for 75.76%. Patients who were not informed of nitroglycerin medications accounted for 88.06%. There were 4 365 questionnaires collected from health care givers from 931 hospitals and institutions in 31 provinces, including 1 580 nurses, 1 232 pharmacists, 1 005 doctors, 413 medical technicians and 135 administrative personnel respectively. The number of people whose shelf life of nitroglycerin exceeded three months after unsealing accounted for 65.41% in wards, 49.59% in pharmacies and 59.89% at home or on a trip respectively. The patients who carried nitroglycerin accounted for 34.30%. Conclusion Medical staff and patients are not well-informed about the storage of nitroglycerin after unsealing. It is recommended that people learn more about the storage container, expiration date and ways to carry this drug after unsealing so as to ensure the safe and effective use of nitroglycerin in patients.

Key words: nitroglycerin, unsealing, medication error, storage management, risk prevention, patient education