Towards standardisation of drug infusion concentrations in UK critical care units

Abstract

There is wide variation in infusion practice in UK critical care units. Standardising infusion concentrations may lead to efficiency gains through reduced training burdens, common nomenclature, reductions in error rates and mass production of ready-to-use products by the pharmaceutical industry. A proposed list of standard concentrations for 20 medications given by infusion was produced. Critical care units were surveyed to assess the acceptability of the list for adoption as a national standard; 164 critical care units responded (63% of UK NHS trusts). High acceptance of the list has been shown, with the exception of concentrations of adrenaline, potassium and phosphate where further work is required. The proposed concentrations of the remaining 17 medications should be adopted as a national standard.