Enhancing patient safety with intelligent intravenous infusion devices: Experience in a specialty cardiac hospital

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to evaluate patient safety, increase nursing satisfaction, and affect economic factors through implementation of intelligent intravenous (IV) infusion devices in a specialty cardiac hospital. Intelligent IV infusion devices have been shown to decrease medication errors associated with inpatient infusions. METHODS: Intelligent IV infusion device evaluation and drug library creation were conducted by a multidisciplinary team within the hospital. Devices were then implemented into patient care, and the impact was analyzed over a 9,month period. RESULTS: Post-implementation data showed that compliance was approximately 100%. A total of 494 critical catches occurred over the study period, resulting in an estimated annual savings of $7,513,333. End-users became familiar with the new technology and recognized the increase in safety measures and time spent with patients. CONCLUSION: This evaluation suggests that intelligent IV infusion devices resulted in decreased costs and a safer environment for patients. Cite this article: Wood, J. L., & Bumette, J. S. (2012, MARCH/APRIL). Enhancing patient safety with intelligent intravenous infusion devices: Experience in A specialty cardiac hospital. Heart & Lung, 41(2), 173-176. doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2011.07.009.