Erythromycin eye ointment

• Erythromycin eye ointment is a topical antibiotic that is applied to the lower conjunctival sac of each eye of the newborn within 1 hour of birth.
• The purpose of this intervention is to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, a serious eye infection caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia that can lead to blindness if untreated.
• The procedure for administering erythromycin eye ointment is as follows:
  • Wash your hands and wear gloves.
  • Check the medication label for the name, dose, expiry date and route of administration.
  • Gently open one eye of the newborn and squeeze about 0.5 cm of ointment into the lower conjunctival sac from the inner to the outer canthus.
  • Repeat with the other eye.
  • Do not rub or wipe the eyes after applying the ointment.
  • Dispose of the used tube in a sharps container and remove your gloves.
  • Wash your hands again and document the medication administration.