A national scoping survey of standard infusions in paediatric and neonatal intensive care units in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to explore the use of standard concentration infusions for intravenous infusions (SCI) in paediatric and neonatal units in the United Kingdom (UK). This included how many units use SCI, variation and overlap in concentrations, devices in use for administration and how the infusions were provided. Methods Paediatric and neonatal units in the UK were surveyed using a self-administered web-based survey tool. Respondents were accessed through professional networks over a one-month period in summer 2016. Key findings Thirty-one units (40%) used SCI. Twenty-one units provided information on presentation and administration of SCI. Forty-six medicines were used as SCI with 143 different concentrations. ‘Smart’ pump technology was most commonly used in the administration of SCI, and SCI were predominantly prepared by nurses in the near-patient setting. Conclusions The majority of paediatric and neonatal units in the UK used traditional weight-based methods for IV infusions and only 40% of responding units had established SCI. This local implementation of SCI resulted in a wide variation of presentations and concentrations and thus there is no true ‘standardisation’. Further research should be conducted on harmonising these SCI across neonatal and paediatric care to facilitate adoption across all units.