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THE STATE-OF-THE-ART IN IV THERAPY Baxa conducted an online survey in August 2007 to gain a better understanding of how pharmacies prepare IVs. The survey was sent to Director of Pharmacies, Pharmacy Managers, Operations Managers and IV Supervisors at US hospitals. Two-hundred twenty (220) Baxa customers provided responses, which are summarized below. WHAT IS THE CURRENT PRACTICE FOR ADMINISTERING SMALL VOLUME PARENTERAL IV MEDICATIONS? Most respondents indicated plain minibags, with the next highest response for pre-mixed non-frozen minibags, Minibag Plus A® minibags, and pre-mixed frozen minibags, respectively. Duplex A® minibags had the lowest score, as 79% of respondents stated that they use this product minimally. Of those respondents that answered “other,” the most common practice stated were elastomerics, specifically Eclipse disposable pumps. 38% noted that they practice syringe infusion frequently or extensively. Among ready-to-use IV drug minibag systems, the Baxter Minibag Plus is significantly more prevalent in pharmacies than its competitors – ADD-Vantage Minibags by Hospira and Duplex Minibags by B. Braun. HOW ARE STERILE IV’S COMPOUNDED FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION? 82% answered central IV admixture service was an extensive practice at their facility. Outsourcing vendors or satellite pharmacies had very low scores. WHAT IS YOUR MOST COMMON IV FLUSH SOLUTION FOR PERIPHERAL AND OTHER NON-CENTRAL IV LINES? Of the respondents, 90% stated that they use normal saline as the most common IV flush. HOW ARE IV FLUSH SOLUTIONS HANDLED WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION? “Prefilled commercial/outsourced” had the highest score for IV flush solutions are handled (75% stated that this was an extensive practice). The second highest answer was “decentralized drug cabinets,” with 48% stating that this was an extensive practice. “Pharmacy-prepared syringes” and “community nursing unit bag” had the lowest scores as 75% and 85% stated these as a minimally used practice, respectively. DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION WILL BE FULLY COMPLIANT WITH USP<797> BY JANUARY 2008? Surprisingly, most pharmacies surveyed do feel that they will be compliant by 2008, as 65% answered “yes.” However, this question doesn’t follow-up to validate the respondents’ knowledge level of USP requirements. The survey also preceded the recent publication of updated guidelines. DO YOU ANTICIPATE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN YOUR IV ADMIXTURE SERVICES WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS? About 35% of respondents stated that they do anticipate significant changes in the near future. When reviewing the follow-up comments regarding this question, USP <797> was frequently mentioned as the reason behind the changes. Many respondents indicated that new cleanrooms were being installed in their facilities. For information on IV therapy best practice and USP <797> compliance, visit www.baxa.com/Help/TechnicalPapers/ and download our complimentary technical papers. Or, return the enclosed business reply card. Return to Newsletter |
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