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An Innovative Approach to Pediatric Dose Standardization
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) recently warned about risks related to rapid administration of IV medications. Examples of the adverse effects range from patient discomfort to severe hypotension and Red Neck Syndrome, and even death, depending on the drug administered.

ISMP outlined several recommendations to reduce the potential for patient harm from rapid IV injections.

1. Information. Medications with a high risk of adverse events when given too fast should have pharmacy-applied label alerts. Special notations should be made on medication administration records and administration guidelines for these drugs should be posted in medication use areas and on the hospital intranet.

2. Dilution and Safe Administration. Use less-concentrated solutions for drugs that can be dangerous if administered too quickly. Administer them as a piggyback, with an infusion pump or with a syringe pump to infuse small volume IV medications.

3. Terminology. With drugs that should be administered over one minute or longer, use specific terms (IV over 5 minutes) rather than “IV push,” “IVP,” or “bolus.”

Baxa offers three different syringe infuser models to accomplish safe small-volume infusions. These are ideal for delivering volumes of 1 to 100 mL at a preset rate. The infusers use standard 5 to 140 mL syringes for controlled delivery of antibiotics, cardiac drugs and other medications.

MicroFuse® Infuser – for intermittent infusions over 20 to
40 or 60 to 120 minutes

MicroFuse Rapid Rate Infuser – for infusing over 6 or 8 minutes

MicroFuse Extended Rate Infuser – for standard (20 to 40 minute) or extended rate (4 to 24 hours) infusions

For information on safe small-volume infusions with MicroFuse Infusers, please complete and return the enclosed business reply card. To read the ISMP Medication Safety Alert, “How fast is too fast for IV push medications?,” go to:
www.ismp.org/MSAarticles/how.htm and look for the May 15, 2003 newsletter.

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