A multi-hospital before–after observational study using a point-prevalence approach with an infusion safety intervention bundle to reduce intravenous medication administration errors.
Schnock KO, Dykes PC, Albert J, et al. A Multi-hospital Before-After Observational Study Using a Point-Prevalence Approach with an Infusion Safety Intervention Bundle to Reduce Intravenous Medication Administration Errors. Drug Saf. 2018;41(6):591-602. doi:10.1007/s40264-018-0637-3.
Intravenous medication administration errors related to smart pumps can compromise patient safety. Prior research has shown that such errors are common and often involve incorrect dosing and workarounds. Researchers describe the development and implementation of a multicomponent safety intervention bundle developed to reduce medication administration errors associated with smart pump use. Although both the overall error rate and medication error rate per 100 medication administrations decreased, the intervention did not lead to a reduction in the rate of potentially harmful errors. A past PSNet perspective discussed the use of smart pumps to improve safety.