Optimizing Intravenous Drug Concentrations in Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Smart Infusion Pump Libraries
Major/Area of Research
Pharmaceuticals
Description
INTRODUCTION: Intravenous (IV) drug delivery in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) poses significant risks for medication errors due to the complex processes involved and the limited availability of pediatric-specific formulations. Standardizing IV drug concentrations can reduce these risks by promoting safer medication delivery. The purpose of this project is to standardize the NICU and PICU IV drug libraries, aligning them with current guidelines from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), Vermont Oxford Network (VO), and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), to enhance patient safety for pediatric and neonatal patients.
METHOD: Continuous and intermittent IV drug concentrations and administration parameters from the SUNY Downstate Medical Center Alaris pump PICU and NICU libraries were reviewed and compared to the latest ASHP, VO, and ISMP standards. Key metrics included the percentage of drug concentration and dosing unit entries that needed updates. We also identified if additional modifications to the pump parameters were needed for “high-risk” medications. Compliance with standards was analyzed via descriptive statistics, and comparisons between libraries were analyzed using the Chi-Square test in SPSS.
RESULTS: Approximately 231 of the 259 drug concentrations in the NICU and PICU libraries were updated, with intermittent drug concentrations showing less standardization compared to continuous ones. Fifty-two “high-risk” drugs were identified, and modifications were made to 30 of them to ensure safe dosing and administration. Additionally, 11 Look-Alike Sound-Alike (LASA) drug entries were corrected per FDA and ISMP recommendations using tall man lettering to prevent confusion. We found that intermittent drug libraries were statistically less standardized than the continuous libraries and required more optimization.
CONCLUSION: Standardization of IV drug concentrations in the PICU and NICU will enhance patient safety, reduce the risk of medication errors and adverse drug effects, and improve clinical outcomes. Ongoing monitoring and updates are necessary to maintain compliance with evolving standards.
Optimizing Intravenous Drug Concentrations in Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Smart Infusion Pump Libraries
INTRODUCTION: Intravenous (IV) drug delivery in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) poses significant risks for medication errors due to the complex processes involved and the limited availability of pediatric-specific formulations. Standardizing IV drug concentrations can reduce these risks by promoting safer medication delivery. The purpose of this project is to standardize the NICU and PICU IV drug libraries, aligning them with current guidelines from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), Vermont Oxford Network (VO), and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), to enhance patient safety for pediatric and neonatal patients.
METHOD: Continuous and intermittent IV drug concentrations and administration parameters from the SUNY Downstate Medical Center Alaris pump PICU and NICU libraries were reviewed and compared to the latest ASHP, VO, and ISMP standards. Key metrics included the percentage of drug concentration and dosing unit entries that needed updates. We also identified if additional modifications to the pump parameters were needed for “high-risk” medications. Compliance with standards was analyzed via descriptive statistics, and comparisons between libraries were analyzed using the Chi-Square test in SPSS.
RESULTS: Approximately 231 of the 259 drug concentrations in the NICU and PICU libraries were updated, with intermittent drug concentrations showing less standardization compared to continuous ones. Fifty-two “high-risk” drugs were identified, and modifications were made to 30 of them to ensure safe dosing and administration. Additionally, 11 Look-Alike Sound-Alike (LASA) drug entries were corrected per FDA and ISMP recommendations using tall man lettering to prevent confusion. We found that intermittent drug libraries were statistically less standardized than the continuous libraries and required more optimization.
CONCLUSION: Standardization of IV drug concentrations in the PICU and NICU will enhance patient safety, reduce the risk of medication errors and adverse drug effects, and improve clinical outcomes. Ongoing monitoring and updates are necessary to maintain compliance with evolving standards.