New IV Pumps To Reduce Medication Errors

Waikato District Health Board is one step closer to eliminating medication errors after the arrival of 200 new volumetric infusion intravenous (IV) pumps last week.

IV pumps are invaluable devices used at all Health Waikato hospitals to deliver intravenous fluids and medicine to patients.

Carolyn Blom, clinical nurse specialist for IV Therapy and Medicine Management at Waikato Hospital said the increased numbers makes the pumps now much more accessible.

"We've almost doubled our stock of the pumps so ultimately that means more controlled IV and medication therapy and safer delivery of treatment for more patients.

"In the past pumps were allocated to the highest need areas at the time and although this prioritisation will still occur, there are now plenty more to go around," she said.

The pumps will be divided up between Waikato, Thames, Te Kuiti, Taumarunui and Tokoroa hospitals as well as Health Waikato's two continuing care and maternity facilities - Rhoda Read in Morrinsville and Matariki in Te Awamutu.

The purchase of the new IV pumps are a result of a four-year project that identified the need for more pumps to ensure Waikato DHB remains complaint with all safety requirements and international IV therapy best practice.

Helen Cameron, Health Waikato clinical product advisor said the new pumps meet international best practice standards and will assist in reducing medication errors.

"After a lengthy process of identifying needs and comparing different products we have succeeded in securing pumps that are not only user-friendly but also come with medication safety software that will ensure that patients get the right medication and the right amount at the right time."

The new pumps cost approximately $500,000.

ENDS