Our system is working to standardize parenteral nutrition support. We would greatly appreciate your input and guidance on the following questions:

Our facilities prepare their PNs in two different ways:

A. Withdraw the volume so there is no residual left in the bag after 24-hours
B. Do not withdraw the volume, so there is residual volume remaining in the bag after the 24-hr infusion (nursing disposes the remaining volume)

-What does your facility do?

Hello,
We started implementing bedside medication and patient wristband scanning just over one year ago. We have generally good scan rates in our Rehab/CCC/Med/Surg areas of the hospital, however struggle with scan rates in our ICU. I'm looking for input on the following questions:

Has anybody implemented ISMP's recommendation from the July-Sep Quarterly Action Agenda to build in a drug interaction alert for methylene blue and SSRIs?
If yes, did you take into account what amounts of methylene blue are being used in procedures?
Thanks
Susan

Our health system is looking at switching out our current smart pump technology. Prior to sending an RFP, we would like to hear how other institutions are satisfied with their own technology. Please respond to the following questions and thank you in advance for your help!
1. What size hospital are you in?
2. What kinds of pumps do you use and are any of them integrated with your electronic medical record?
3. Overall, do you feel the pumps are performing well in your environment?
4. Do nurses have any complaints with the pumps?

Hoping others could share the communication strategies that are used when a drug shortage impacts medication availability in an emergency kit.

We utilize email and other alerts, but these have not been effective in getting information to the "end user" level, most times the first time a resident/RN gets notification is when the code cart is opened and there is not a needed medication. Recently vasopressin was an issue...

Appreciate any information you can share.

I just wanted to ask how many of you have reviewed the ISMP new IV Push guidelines for adults and have implemented them into a policy and mandated education on these?

Sue Dill Calloway

Our Healthcare system is looking at our current contract for IV fluids (BBraun) and we are considering changing to Baxter. There has been so much press about recalls, leakage, particulates, etc. I am wondering what other sites are using and their experience with shortages, leakage, breakage, etc.

Any feedback would be appreciated so that we can make the best decision for our patients.

Natalie

Good morning,

Our facility is a primary stroke center receiving stroke patients in the ER. We currently prepare and dispense 23.4% NaCl in pharmacy and deliver to the ER when a stroke patient arrives. The ER physicians are requesting storage of 23.4% NaCl in the ER Acudose. If your facility is a primary stroke center, are you storing this in the Acudose? What safety precautions do you have in place? Any advice on your safety measures is appreciated.

For those health systems using closed-system transfer devices (CSTDs), how do you prepare products requiring a small volume (less than 1 mL) of drug? We are evaluating our current processes for preparing tacrolimus. Also, how do you handle products only available in ampules given exposure occurs when opening the ampule?

I would appreciate your response. I will collate the results and send to those who are interested.

Thank you!

Do you send insulin drips via pneumatic tube system or is it on your "Do Not Tube List"?

Thanks.
dpatrick