Standard Concentration Infusions Research Articles

P19 Direct observational study of infusion errors associated with smart-pump technology in paediatric intensive care

AimsProcesses for delivery of high-risk infusions in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) are complex. Standard concentration infusions (SCIs), smart-pumps and electronic prescribing are recommended medication error reduction strategies.1 2 Implementation rates are low in Irish and UK hospitals.2 3 Since 2012, the PICU of an Irish tertiary paediatric hospital has been using a smart-pump SCI library, interfaced with electronic infusion orders (Philips ICCA®). The incidence of infusion errors is unknown. This study aims to determine the frequency, severity and distribution of smart-pump infusion errors and to identify contributory factors to the occurrence of infusion errors.MethodsProgrammed infusions are directly observed at the bedside. Parameters are compared against medication orders and auto-populated infusion data. Identified deviations are categorised as either medication errors or discrepancies. Five opportunities for error (OEs) were identified: programming, administration, documentation, assignment, data transfer. Error rates (%) are calculated as: infusions with errors; and errors per OE. Pre-defined definitions, multi-disciplinary consensus and grading processes are employed.ResultsA total of 1023 infusions for 175 patients were directly observed on 27 days between February and September 2017. 74% of patients were under 1 year, 32% under 1 month. The drug-library accommodated 96.5% of all infusions. Compliance with the drug-library was 98.9%. 55 infusions had ≥ 1 error (5.4%); a further 67 (6.3%) had ≥ 1 discrepancy. From a total of 4997 OEs, 72 errors (1.4%) and 107 discrepancies (2.1%) were observed. Documentation errors were most common; programming errors were rare (0.32% OE). Errors are minor, with just one requiring minimal intervention to prevent harm.ConclusionThis study has highlighted the benefits of smart-pumps and auto-populated infusion data in the PICU setting. Identified error rates are low compared to similar studies.4 The findings will contribute to the limited existing knowledge base on impact of these interventions on paediatric infusion administration errors.ReferencesInstitute for Safe Medication Practices, ISMP. 2018–2019 Targeted medication safety best practices for hospitals2018 [Available from: http://www.ismp.org/tools/bestpractices/TMSBP-for-Hospitalsv2.pdf [Accessed: June 2019]Oskarsdottir T, Harris D, Sutherland A, et al. A national scoping survey of standard infusions in paediatric and neonatal intensive care units in the United Kingdom. J Pharm Pharmacol 2018;70:1324–1331.Howlett M, Curtin M, Doherty D, Gleeson P, Sheerin M, Breatnach C. Paediatric standardised concentration infusions – A national solution. Arch Dis Child. 2016;101:e2.Blandford A, Dykes PC, Franklin BD, et al. Intravenous Infusion Administration: A comparative study of practices and errors between the United States and England and their Implications for patient safety. Drug Saf. 2019;42:1157–1165

Direct Observational Study of Interfaced Smart-Pumps in Pediatric Intensive Care.

Processes for delivery of high-risk infusions in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) are complex. Standard concentration infusions (SCIs), smart-pumps, and electronic prescribing are recommended medication error reduction strategies. Implementation rates in Europe lag behind those in the United States. Since 2012, the PICU of an Irish tertiary pediatric hospital has been using a smart-pump SCI library, interfaced with electronic infusion orders (Philips ICCA). The incidence of infusion errors is unknown. To determine the frequency, severity, and distribution of smart-pump infusion errors in PICUs. Programmed infusions were directly observed at the bedside. Parameters were compared against medication orders and autodocumented infusion data. Identified deviations were categorized as medication errors or discrepancies. Error rates (%) were calculated as infusions with errors and errors per opportunities for error (OEs). Predefined definitions, multidisciplinary consensus and grading processes were employed. A total of 1,023 infusions for 175 patients were directly observed over 27 days between February and September 2017. The drug library accommodated 96.5% of infusions. Compliance with the drug library was 98.9%. A total of 133 infusions had ≥1 error (13.0%); a further 58 (5.7%) had ≥1 discrepancy. From a total of 4,997 OEs, 153 errors (3.1%) and 107 discrepancies (2.1%) were observed. Undocumented bolus doses were most commonly identified (n = 81); this was the only deviation in 36.1% (n = 69) of infusions. Programming errors were rare (0.32% OE). Errors were minor, with just one requiring minimal intervention to prevent harm. The error rates identified are low compared with similar studies, highlighting the benefits of smart-pumps and autodocumented infusion data in PICUs. A range of quality improvement opportunities has been identified.

The Impact of Technology on Prescribing Errors in Pediatric Intensive Care: A Before and After Study.

Increased use of health information technology (HIT) has been advocated as a medication error reduction strategy. Evidence of its benefits in the pediatric setting remains limited. In 2012, electronic prescribing (ICCA, Philips, United Kingdom) and standard concentration infusions (SCIs)-facilitated by smart-pump technology-were introduced into the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of an Irish tertiary-care pediatric hospital. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the new technology on the rate and severity of PICU prescribing errors and identify technology-generated errors. A retrospective, before and after study design, was employed. Medication orders were reviewed over 24 weeks distributed across four time periods: preimplementation (Epoch 1); postimplementation of SCIs (Epoch 2); immediate postimplementation of electronic prescribing (Epoch 3); and 1 year postimplementation (Epoch 4). Only orders reviewed by a clinical pharmacist were included. Prespecified definitions, multidisciplinary consensus and validated grading methods were utilized. A total of 3,356 medication orders for 288 patients were included. Overall error rates were similar in Epoch 1 and 4 (10.2 vs. 9.8%; p = 0.8), but error types differed (p < 0.001). Incomplete and wrong unit errors were eradicated; duplicate orders increased. Dosing errors remained most common. A total of 27% of postimplementation errors were technology-generated. Implementation of SCIs alone was associated with significant reductions in infusion-related prescribing errors (29.0% [Epoch 1] to 14.6% [Epoch 2]; p < 0.001). Further reductions (8.4% [Epoch 4]) were identified after implementation of electronically generated infusion orders. Non-infusion error severity was unchanged (p = 0.13); fewer infusion errors reached the patient (p < 0.01). No errors causing harm were identified. The limitations of electronic prescribing in reducing overall prescribing errors in PICU have been demonstrated. The replacement of weight-based infusions with SCIs was associated with significant reductions in infusion prescribing errors. Technology-generated errors were common, highlighting the need for on-going research on HIT implementation in pediatric settings.

Standard concentration infusions of inotropic and vasoactive drugs in paediatric intensive care: a strategy for patient safety.

To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different standard concentration infusions for high-alert inotropic and vasoactive drugs in paediatric intensive care units (ICUs). Retrospective data analysis was performed on drug prescriptions for patients in paediatric ICUs. A matrix was developed based on optimal concentration recommendations for each drug, taking into consideration solution stability and patient safety. Hypothetical volumes were calculated for three standard solutions (high concentration - HC, low concentration - LC and fluid restriction - FR) and compared to the actual administered volumes to evaluate the impact of the volumes of each standard solution for varying weight ranges in paediatric care. Finally, a risk assessment of the standard infusions was conducted using the NPSA 20 tool along with an assessment of the pharmacoeconomic impact. The results suggest the need for at least two standard concentrations for each of the studied drugs in order to attend to the different weight ranges and clinical conditions of paediatric patients in intensive care. High concentration is ideal for patients up to 20kg. For patients over 20kg, FR is recommended, while LC should only be used in specific situations. Modifying the hospital pharmacotherapy system to include standard solutions is safer and reduces the risks of adverse effects. The pharmacoeconomic analysis did not show any impact on costs, although a reduction in adverse effects should be considered.

A national scoping survey of standard infusions in paediatric and neonatal intensive care units in the United Kingdom

This study aimed to explore the use of standard concentration infusions for intravenous infusions (SCI) in paediatric and neonatal units in the United Kingdom (UK). This included how many units use SCI, variation and overlap in concentrations, devices in use for administration and how the infusions were provided. Paediatric and neonatal units in the UK were surveyed using a self-administered web-based survey tool. Respondents were accessed through professional networks over a one-month period in summer 2016. Thirty-one units (40%) used SCI. Twenty-one units provided information on presentation and administration of SCI. Forty-six medicines were used as SCI with 143 different concentrations. 'Smart' pump technology was most commonly used in the administration of SCI, and SCI were predominantly prepared by nurses in the near-patient setting. The majority of paediatric and neonatal units in the UK used traditional weight-based methods for IV infusions and only 40% of responding units had established SCI. This local implementation of SCI resulted in a wide variation of presentations and concentrations and thus there is no true 'standardisation'. Further research should be conducted on harmonising these SCI across neonatal and paediatric care to facilitate adoption across all units.

Standard concentration infusions in paediatric intensive care: the clinical approach.

To identify the most appropriate clinical concentrations required by our paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) population with regard to accuracy of delivery and overall fluid allowance. Firstly a matrix was used to balance the concentration, dose and infusion volume (weight range 1.5-50 kg). Results were further refined considering: patient fluid allowance based on fluid volume targets, infusion pump accuracy and challenging each infusion against clinical scenarios requiring administration of multiple drug infusions found in PICU. Consideration was given to the standard concentrations routinely used in adults, in order to assess whether alignment with paediatrics was possible for some of the concentrations proposed. Finally a risk assessment of the infusions was conducted using the NPSA 20 tool. Twenty-five drugs identified as the most commonly used intravenous infusions in the unit. For the majority of the medicines, three weight bands of standard concentrations were necessary to cover the children's weight ranges and kept within predefined fluid requirements and accuracy of delivery. This work shows a patient focused systematic approach for defining and evaluating standardised concentrations in intensive care children.

Safe implementation of standard concentration infusions in paediatric intensive care.

To evaluate safety, following introduction of standard concentrations of morphine infusions in paediatric critical care. Implementation: A multidisciplinary team was convened, and several workstreams designated, including derivation of concentrations, manufacturing, supply, prescribing, administration using smart pump technology, training and evaluation. Safety Evaluation: Retrieval of all existing data on medication errors linked to morphine use using our hospital incident reporting system and risk assessment of errors in relation to standard concentration implementation. The pilot identified several areas for improvement, stock control, reasons for reverting from standard to variable concentrations and sources of error. Improvements included the following: refining morphine concentrations and weight limits for bands, pump reprogramming and education. Long-term Safety: Over an 8-year period, 126 morphine-related incidents occurred (two-thirds in the 3years around introduction). Of note, 67% (85/126) resulted in no patient harm; the remainder 33% resulted in low harm. Analysis of administration errors revealed that up to 70% could be eliminated by refining technology to include bar coding. These included the following: wrong syringe selection (24%), wrong pump mode (28%) and wrong patient weight inputted (18%). Introduction of standard infusions is safe and effective. We are exploring ways to further refine safety and extending to other drugs.

Standard concentration infusions and ‘smart’ pumps in PICU: the challenge of change

IntroductionArising from reviews of critical incidents, many leading organisations, such as the Institute of Safe Medical Practice in the US and the National Patient Safety Agency in the UK, have...