Successful implementation of safe practice for adult intravenous push medication in a tertiary care hospital: determination of stability of four intravenous antibiotics in syringes

BMJ Open Qual. 2024 May 7;13(Suppl 2):e002382. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2023-002382.

Abstract

In 2017, a severe shortage of infusion bags resulted in a paradigm change in medication administration practice from intermittent infusion to intravenous push. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices proposed safe practice guidelines for adult intravenous push medications. A different study showed that ready-to-administer medication prepared in the sterile area of a pharmacy reduces the risk of harm, nurses' time for medication administration and the cost of medications. Based on the recommendation of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, we decided to conduct a pilot study on the implementation of sterile compounding and administration of intravenous push medication in adult patients admitted to the hospital. In the study, the stability of five intravenous push antibiotic syringes was also determined in the syringes.

Keywords: antibiotic management; clinical pharmacology; medication safety; nurses; pharmacists.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravenous / methods
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Drug Stability
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous / instrumentation
  • Infusions, Intravenous / methods
  • Infusions, Intravenous / standards
  • Pilot Projects
  • Syringes* / standards
  • Tertiary Care Centers* / organization & administration
  • Tertiary Care Centers* / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents