Reducing waste of intravenous solutions

Abstract

A program to minimize the waste of i.v. drug solutions is outlined, and the results of audits to determine the effectiveness of the program are presented. The program for reducing i.v. solution waste at a 500-bed acute-care center involves measures to compound admixtures for individual shifts, recycle solutions, remove unused solutions from nursing units, use a standardized administration schedule and automatic stop orders, standardize total parenteral nutrient (TPN) solutions, use commercially prepared products when possible, verify telephone orders, and prepare labile products just before use. From January 1987 to January 1990, six 30-day audits were performed to determine the number of i.v. admixtures discarded. The audits showed the hospital's average rate of waste to be 3.27%, well below other published values. The medical and surgical intensive-care units, pediatrics wards, and general medicine units accounted for most of the waste, which was largely attributable to dosage changes and stat-type drugs ordered but never used. Poor communication between the pharmacy and the nursing units also contributed to sterile product waste. Although the audits showed that waste was already at a low level, they pointed out areas for further improvement. A computer linkup that gives physicians the formulas for i.v. solutions is being set up, the list of standardized TPN solution formulas is being expanded to include condition-specific solutions, and clinical pharmacists are establishing better communication with the nursing units. By using several methods to reduce the waste of i.v. solutions, a pharmacy department has limited the rate of waste to only 3.27%.