What are Smart Labels?

Smart Labels are pre-printed, color-coded syringe labels designed specifically for veterinary teams. They’re fully compliant with ISO 26825 — the international standard for syringe labeling in human anesthesia and critical care. This standard was developed to reduce medication errors through consistent drug class color coding, clear legibility, and standardized formatting, especially in high-stress environments.

Each label clearly displays the drug name, concentration, dose, commonly administered routes, dilution reminders, and recommended IV rate — helping your team work quickly, accurately, and safely.

Smart Label Quick Guide

This quick guide reference breaks down what each symbol means and how to use our labels safely and consistently in your hospital.

Example I: Fentanyl

1. Drug Name: Fentanyl – the name of the medication for quick identification.
2. Concentration: 50 mcg/mL – the standard concentration.

3. Common Routes of Administration: IV / CRI – these are the most frequently used routes for Fentanyl. Always confirm if an alternative route is being used. e.g. IV has been circled by prescribing veterinarian indicating route of administration for patient.

4. Controlled Substance Indicator: C-II – denotes a Schedule II controlled drug. Follow all required controlled substance handling protocols.

5. Dosage Volume Field & Check Box: Write the volume to be administered in the blank field (e.g.“1.2 mL”). e.g. In this example, a second staff member has confirmed the volume and has ticked the checkbox before administration.

6. Slow Administration Advisory (if present): 1–2m – indicates the drug should be administered slowly over 1–2 minutes if given IV.

Example II: Dextrose

1. Drug Name: Dextrose
2. Concentration: 50%

3. Common Routes of Administration: IV / PO / CRI – these are the most frequently used routes for Dextrose. Always confirm if an alternative route is being used. e.g. IV has been circled by prescribing veterinarian indicating route of administration for patient.

4. Dosage Volume Field & Check Box: Write the volume to be administered in the blank field (e.g.“2.8 mL”). e.g. a second staff member has confirmed the volume and has ticked the checkbox before administration.

5. Slow Administration Advisory: 2-5m – indicates the drug should be administered slowly over 2-5 minutes if given IV.

6. Dilution and check box Icon: circled “D” followed by check box ☐ means dilution is recommended before IV use. Check clinic protocol or formulary for guidelines. A check box is ticked off when dilution is completed.

Smart Labels

Designed for safer injection. Built for busy clinics.

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Explore our full lineup of injectable safety labels designed by vets to reduce errors and support confident care.

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Safe.Vet was built out of necessity. As practicing veterinarians, we saw how easily medical errors happen — especially during high-volume, high-pressure shifts. Missing a dilution step, giving a drug too fast, or misreading a syringe label can have serious consequences. We started with injectable labels to address this gap with clear, practical tools that support safer care in real time.

By clearly labeling drugs with critical info like route, concentration, dilution, and rate — and following ISO 26825 safety standards — Smart Labels help prevent common mistakes like giving the wrong drug, via the wrong route, or too fast.

This supports safer prep, smoother handoffs, and more reliable double-checks during administration. Less guesswork. Fewer errors. Better patient care.

We’ve created a downloadable SOP to help you roll this out with minimal friction. It includes sample protocols and quick-start guidance your team can adapt to fit your current systems. Whether you’re labeling at point-of-draw, during drug prep, or before anesthesia — you can make it work for your flow.

Start simple, be consistent, and adjust based on what works best for your hospital. The goal is to reduce variability and support safer habits without slowing anyone down.

No — that’s completely optional. Every hospital has its own protocols, and these labels are designed to be flexible. The fields and checkboxes are there for clinics that choose to use them as part of their SOPs. Some teams prefer to double-check and document every detail, while others don’t. It’s there if you want it — but it’s not required.

Each label is designed in full compliance with ISO 26825, the international standard for safe syringe labeling in anesthesia and procedural care. We didn’t rely on common habits or color associations — we built our system from the ground up using globally recognized safety protocols.

We chose to follow human medicine standards, not just what’s typical in veterinary practice, because vet teams deserve the same level of precision, safety, and accountability. While ISO 26825 doesn’t define colors for every veterinary drug, we applied its core principles — consistent drug class color coding, Tall Man lettering, and high-contrast legibility — across the board to create a clear, error-resistant labeling system that works in real clinical settings.

Absolutely not. These are supplemental tools - not a substitute for medical knowledge. Every drug should still be verified by the prescribing veterinarian. Our goal is to reduce cognitive load, not critical thinking.

We’ve spent countless hours reviewing drug protocols, cross-referencing the latest recommendations from Plumb’s, VIN, and a network of experienced veterinarians. Every label is built on current medical knowledge, with a focus on safety, clarity, and real-world practicality.

They’re designed to help reduce risk by reinforcing best practices, especially with less experienced staff and during emergencies. Ultimately, responsibility for drug administration still rests with the clinic and its licensed staff. Think of these as part of your safety net — not a legal shield.