ISMP Canada Infusion Pump Survey

Link to ISMP

Feedback

A Survey of Infusion Pump Use in Canadian Hospitals

Infusion pumps are being used to deliver almost all intravenous fluids including many high risk medications. Medication errors involving infusion pump use could result in serious or even fatal patient outcomes. Since 1985, there have been several hundred reports of incidents with the use of infusion pumps in the United States, and about 300 of these resulted in patient deaths.

There has not been any study or data available to determine the situation in Canadian hospitals. Since the makes and models of infusion pumps used in the U.S. are very similar to those in Canada, there is no reason to believe that a concern over the hazards in use of these devices does not exist in Canada. A good knowledge of the problem, or rather, necessary warnings and precautions are important to ensure patient safety.

Researchers at the University of Toronto, teaming up with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada), are embarking on an infusion pump research project to determine pump use and problem issues. The project will involve a comprehensive survey sent to hospitals across Canada. A number of key organizations and associations are also collaborating in this important initiative.

The objectives of the project are:

To collect data on infusion pump use issues via a comprehensive survey.
To analyze the infusion pump data obtained from the survey responses for the purpose of identifying issues and concerns.
To disseminate the survey and analysis results to hospitals and practitioners.

The collaborating organizations include:

Canadian Healthcare Association (CHA)

The Canadian Healthcare Association will be playing an important role in providing a communication strategy to all hospitals in Canada and other logistics.

Emergency Care Research Institute, Plymouth, PA (ECRI)

ECRI, a world renowned institute on medical device research, has indicated their support, and will provide input into the study including the design of the questions in the survey.

Health Canada (TPD's Medical Device Bureau)
The Therapeutic Products Directorate's Medical Device Bureau of Health Canada will provide invaluable input and resources in the design of the survey and analysis of the results. It is hoped that an ongoing collaborative working relationship will be established between the Bureau and ISMP Canada to help make infusion pump use safer in Canada.

Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC)

The Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC) is a member-owned expert provider of professional and general liability coverage and risk management support. HIROC will also be taking a leadership role to promote and encourage hospitals to make this patient safety initiative a success.

Institute for Safe Medication Practices, Huntingdon Valley, PA (ISMP)

Institute for Safe Medication Practices, Canada (ISMP Canada)

ISMP and ISMP Canada are both independent non-profit organizations established to promote safe medication practices. ISMP is well known as an education resource for the prevention of medication errors. ISMP has analyzed many medication errors involving the use of infusion pumps. The sharing of their expertise and prevention strategies is acknowledged and greatly appreciated.

University of Toronto (Dr. Kim Vicente)

Dr. Kim Vicente is a professor and Director, Cognitive Engineering Laboratory, University of Toronto. His work in cognitive function and human error in industrial applications, including the healthcare setting, has been widely published and acknowledged.

The data collection phase of the project is now over. The preliminary results as presented at the 2004 CSHP Professional Practice Conference can be access here.