Majority of IV Infusion Errors Linked to Clinical Practice
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 20 Mar 2016 |
More than half of intravenous (IV) infusion medications contained errors, with majority linked to deviations in hospital policy, according to a new study.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston, MA, USA), Concord Hospital (NH, USA), and other institutions conducted a study in ten hospitals in the United States to investigate the types and frequency of IV medication errors associated with smart pumps. Data were collected using a prospective point prevalence approach to capture errors associated with 1,164 smart pump IV administrations to 478 patients, with concurrent evaluation of their potential for harm.
The results showed that of the observed infusions, 699 (60%) had one or more errors associated with their administration, but relatively few of these errors were potentially harmful. The most predominant errors were associated with violations of hospital infusion policy, and included the administration of unauthorized medications, bypassing the smart pump, wrong rate of infusion, labelling errors, and bypassing the integrated drug library.
The researchers suggested that most of these mistakes could be prevented if closed-loop systems, in which the smart pumps are automatically programed with a medication order using the patient’s electronic health record (EHR), were implemented as policy. This would necessitate that a nurse verify the information on the smart pump and accept the data, including drug name, infusion rate, volume, and concentration, before the infusion could begin. The study was published on February 23, 2016, in BMJ Quality & Safety.
“Since these errors are not directly related to the use of smart pumps, these finding suggest that smart pump technology alone cannot fully prevent errors associated with intravenous infusions,” concluded lead author Kumiko Schnock, MD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital, and colleagues. “The results of this study will be useful in developing interventions to eliminate errors in the intravenous medication administration process.”
Smart infusion pumps were developed to reduce adverse drug events and medication administration errors through built-in safety features, such as built-in drug libraries and dose error reduction systems. According to a national survey conducted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (Bethesda, MD, USA), in 2012 77% of hospitals in the United States use smart pump technology.
Related Links:
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Concord Hospital
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston, MA, USA), Concord Hospital (NH, USA), and other institutions conducted a study in ten hospitals in the United States to investigate the types and frequency of IV medication errors associated with smart pumps. Data were collected using a prospective point prevalence approach to capture errors associated with 1,164 smart pump IV administrations to 478 patients, with concurrent evaluation of their potential for harm.
The results showed that of the observed infusions, 699 (60%) had one or more errors associated with their administration, but relatively few of these errors were potentially harmful. The most predominant errors were associated with violations of hospital infusion policy, and included the administration of unauthorized medications, bypassing the smart pump, wrong rate of infusion, labelling errors, and bypassing the integrated drug library.
The researchers suggested that most of these mistakes could be prevented if closed-loop systems, in which the smart pumps are automatically programed with a medication order using the patient’s electronic health record (EHR), were implemented as policy. This would necessitate that a nurse verify the information on the smart pump and accept the data, including drug name, infusion rate, volume, and concentration, before the infusion could begin. The study was published on February 23, 2016, in BMJ Quality & Safety.
“Since these errors are not directly related to the use of smart pumps, these finding suggest that smart pump technology alone cannot fully prevent errors associated with intravenous infusions,” concluded lead author Kumiko Schnock, MD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital, and colleagues. “The results of this study will be useful in developing interventions to eliminate errors in the intravenous medication administration process.”
Smart infusion pumps were developed to reduce adverse drug events and medication administration errors through built-in safety features, such as built-in drug libraries and dose error reduction systems. According to a national survey conducted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (Bethesda, MD, USA), in 2012 77% of hospitals in the United States use smart pump technology.
Related Links:
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Concord Hospital
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Latest Critical Care News
- Portable System for Warming Blood and IV-Fluids Reduces Hypothermia Risk in Hemorrhaging Patients
- AI-Generated Real-Time Alerts for Declining Health Speeds Up Treatment and Reduces Hospital Deaths
- Breakthrough Computational Method Predicts Sudden Cardiac Death
- Ingestible Microbiome Sampling Pill to Help Diagnose Wide Range of Health Conditions
- GPS-Like Smart Pills with AI Provide Real-Time 3D Monitoring Of Gastrointestinal Health
- Bioengineering Breakthrough to Improve Bone Regeneration Treatments
- Soft Robots with Electronic Skins and Artificial Muscles to Provide Medical Treatment
- AI Camera Technology Helps Doctors Quickly Assess Severity of Infections
- Machine Learning Delivers Personalized Oxygenation for Patients on Ventilators
- New AI Algorithm Detects Rare Epileptic Seizures from EEG Data
- Facial Thermal Imaging Combined with AI Predicts Coronary Artery Disease
- AI Technology Predicts Cardiac Events 10 Years in Advance
- Recyclable ‘Smart Skin’ Monitors Biological Signals on Demand
- Novel Catheter to Reduce Risk for Associated Urinary Tract Infections and Sepsis
- AI Doubles Medical Professionals’ Accuracy in Reading EEG Charts of ICU Patients
- Flexible Device Enables Sweat Gland Stimulation and Simultaneous Biosensing
Channels
Surgical Techniques
view channel![Image: New studies suggest benefit of total robotic metabolic and bariatric surgery over conventional laparoscopy (Photo courtesy of 123RF) Image: New studies suggest benefit of total robotic metabolic and bariatric surgery over conventional laparoscopy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-13/143615440_m_normal_none.jpg)
Total Robotic Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Proves More Beneficial than Conventional Laparoscopy
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 42.4% of Americans are affected by obesity. Research indicates that obesity can compromise the immune system, trigger chronic inflammation,... Read more![Image: Concept of the wirelessly actuated undulating pump and its integration into an esophageal stent (Photo courtesy of Advanced Functional Materials/ doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202405865) Image: Concept of the wirelessly actuated undulating pump and its integration into an esophageal stent (Photo courtesy of Advanced Functional Materials/ doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202405865)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-11/adfm202405865-fig-0001-m.jpg)
Wirelessly Activated Robotic Device Aids Digestion in Patients with Compromised Organs
The transport of fluids and solids is essential in the human body, driven by a wave-like movement in the lumen known as peristalsis. However, peristalsis can be disrupted in patients who have obstructions... Read morePatient Care
view channel![Image: The portable, handheld BeamClean technology inactivates pathogens on commonly touched surfaces in seconds (Photo courtesy of Freestyle Partners) Image: The portable, handheld BeamClean technology inactivates pathogens on commonly touched surfaces in seconds (Photo courtesy of Freestyle Partners)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-05-01/Freestyle_1.jpg)
First-Of-Its-Kind Portable Germicidal Light Technology Disinfects High-Touch Clinical Surfaces in Seconds
Reducing healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) remains a pressing issue within global healthcare systems. In the United States alone, 1.7 million patients contract HAIs annually, leading to approximately... Read more![Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu) Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2023-09-26/SDD-294798729.jpg)
Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization
An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more![Image: The Instrument Pod is clinically proven to make the OR and sterile processing more efficient (Photo courtesy of Turbett Surgical) Image: The Instrument Pod is clinically proven to make the OR and sterile processing more efficient (Photo courtesy of Turbett Surgical)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2023-07-13/SDD-294797885.jpg)
Game-Changing Innovation in Surgical Instrument Sterilization Significantly Improves OR Throughput
A groundbreaking innovation enables hospitals to significantly improve instrument processing time and throughput in operating rooms (ORs) and sterile processing departments. Turbett Surgical, Inc.... Read moreHealth IT
view channel![Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai) Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2023-05-26/SDD-294797344.jpg)
Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients
Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more![Image: Integration of generative AI into healthcare can increase productivity and enhance patient care (Photo courtesy of Microsoft) Image: Integration of generative AI into healthcare can increase productivity and enhance patient care (Photo courtesy of Microsoft)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2023-05-16/SDD-294797200.jpg)
Strategic Collaboration to Develop and Integrate Generative AI into Healthcare
Top industry experts have underscored the immediate requirement for healthcare systems and hospitals to respond to severe cost and margin pressures. Close to half of U.S. hospitals ended 2022 in the red... Read more![Image: iQueue for Operating Rooms maximizes OR access by optimizing block and open time (Photo courtesy of Freepik) Image: iQueue for Operating Rooms maximizes OR access by optimizing block and open time (Photo courtesy of Freepik)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2023-05-10/SDD-294797132.jpg)
AI-Enabled Operating Rooms Solution Helps Hospitals Maximize Utilization and Unlock Capacity
For healthcare organizations, optimizing operating room (OR) utilization during prime time hours is a complex challenge. Surgeons and clinics face difficulties in finding available slots for booking cases,... Read more![Image: AI model spots those at highest risk for up to three years before diagnosis (Photo courtesy of Freepik) Image: AI model spots those at highest risk for up to three years before diagnosis (Photo courtesy of Freepik)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2023-05-10/SDD-294797117.jpg)
AI Predicts Pancreatic Cancer Three Years before Diagnosis from Patients’ Medical Records
Screening for common cancers like breast, cervix, and prostate cancer relies on relatively simple and highly effective techniques, such as mammograms, Pap smears, and blood tests. These methods have revolutionized... Read morePoint of Care
view channel![Image: POCT offers cost-effective, accessible, and immediate diagnostic solutions (Photo courtesy of Flinders University) Image: POCT offers cost-effective, accessible, and immediate diagnostic solutions (Photo courtesy of Flinders University)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-05-30/28897_about_up_woman_operating_poct_machine.jpg)
POCT for Infectious Diseases Delivers Laboratory Equivalent Pathology Results
On-site pathology tests for infectious diseases in rural and remote locations can achieve the same level of reliability and accuracy as those conducted in hospital laboratories, a recent study suggests.... Read more![Image: The cartridge-based TEG 6s system provides clinicians a complete picture about a patient\'s coagulation profile (Photo courtesy of Haemonetics Corporation) Image: The cartridge-based TEG 6s system provides clinicians a complete picture about a patient\'s coagulation profile (Photo courtesy of Haemonetics Corporation)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-05-28/TEG6s-5-Hospital-Single-Product-Image-429x429-Recovered.jpg)
Cartridge-Based Hemostasis Analyzer System Enables Faster Coagulation Testing
Quickly assessing a patient's total hemostasis status can be critical to influencing clinical outcomes and using blood products. Haemonetics Corporation (Boston, MA, USA) has now obtained 510(k) clearance... Read more![Image: The Quantra Hemostasis System has received US FDA special 510(k) clearance for use with its Quantra QStat Cartridge (Photo courtesy of HemoSonics) Image: The Quantra Hemostasis System has received US FDA special 510(k) clearance for use with its Quantra QStat Cartridge (Photo courtesy of HemoSonics)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-04-05/Quantra_Instrument_QStat_Dials_2022.jpg)
Critical Bleeding Management System to Help Hospitals Further Standardize Viscoelastic Testing
Surgical procedures are often accompanied by significant blood loss and the subsequent high likelihood of the need for allogeneic blood transfusions. These transfusions, while critical, are linked to various... Read moreBusiness
view channel![Image: The Critical Care acquisition will enhance BD’s portfolio of smart connected care solutions (Photo courtesy of BD) Image: The Critical Care acquisition will enhance BD’s portfolio of smart connected care solutions (Photo courtesy of BD)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-06-04/Hemodynamic_Monitoring_1.jpg)
BD Acquires Edwards Lifesciences' Critical Care Product Group for USD 4.2 Billion
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) and Edwards Lifesciences (Irvine, CA, USA) have entered into a definitive agreement under which BD will acquire Edwards' Critical Care product... Read more![Image: The MEDICA START-UP PARK is the meeting place for networking for and with the creative start-up scene (Photo courtesy of Constanze Tillmann/Messe Düsseldorf) Image: The MEDICA START-UP PARK is the meeting place for networking for and with the creative start-up scene (Photo courtesy of Constanze Tillmann/Messe Düsseldorf)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_hospimedica/images/stories/articles/article_images/2024-05-30/MEDICA23_STARTUP_PARK.jpg)