Abstract
Abstract Background The objectives were to perform an observation of the administration of injectable drugs in three ICUs, to identify injectable drugs administered by Y-site infusion or mixed in the same container, to compare with physical compatibility data available in the literature and to test the physical compatibility for missing data. Methods An observational study was realised over two weeks and patients receiving more than one injectable drug in the same line simultaneously were included. Physical compatibilities were assessed in pairs by comparing with three databases. For some missing data, three tests were realised for pairs including an anti-infective drug. Visual and subvisual evaluations were performed after the preparation, 1 and a 4-hour storage. Results A total of 389 combinations between two injectable drugs was observed for Y-site infusions and 31 mixtures in the same container. According to the literature, 21.1 % associations were physically compatible, 1.8 % as physically compatible potentially, 8.0 % as physically incompatible, 6.4 % have divergent data according to the databases and 62.7 % have no data. Two mixtures were documented. 37 pairs were tested and 70.3 % were physically compatible, 8.1 % were physically incompatible after visual evaluation and 21.6 % after subvisual evaluation. Conclusions In the majority of cases, no compatibility data are available in the literature. Laboratory tests give additional information.
Highlights
Patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) often require the use of multiple drugs and the intravenous route is the most commonly way of administration
Many pairs with no data were observed during this study and we focused laboratory tests on pairs including one or two anti-infective drugs
We focused on laboratory tests including an anti-infective drug
Summary
Patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) often require the use of multiple drugs and the intravenous route is the most commonly way of administration. For Y-site infusions, drugs must be physically compatible, which means no precipitation, no change of colour or no gas formation [1]. The objectives were to perform an observation of the administration of injectable drugs in three ICUs, to identify injectable drugs administered by Y-site infusion or mixed in the same container, to compare with physical compatibility data available in the literature and to test the physical compatibility for missing data. Results: A total of 389 combinations between two injectable drugs was observed for Y-site infusions and 31 mixtures in the same container. 37 pairs were tested and 70.3 % were physically compatible, 8.1 % were physically incompatible after visual evaluation and 21.6 % after subvisual evaluation.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
