Intravenous Infusion Safety Technology: Return on Investment

Abstract

Purpose In 2006 the Institute of Medicine reported that at least 400,000 preventable adverse drug events (ADEs) occur annually among patients being hospitalized, with costs of $3.5 billion (or $8,750 per preventable ADE). Recommended medication error prevention technologies include computerized prescriber order entry, bar-code medication administration, and computerized intravenous (IV) safety systems with dose-error reduction software. When St. Joseph's/Candler Health System replaced its existing IV pumps, the decision to incur the incremental cost for “smart” IV safety systems rather than traditional IV pumps resulted in financial benefits, improved safety, improved quality of care, and increased nursing satisfaction. Methods Electronic data recorded at the bedside as caregivers administered medications provided information from which actual cost avoidance could be more readily calculated and presented objective evidence of the fiscal value of investments in innovative technologies. Results Over a 5-year period, implementation of these smart systems reduced high-risk medication errors and patient-controlled analgesia-related undesired outcomes, helped avert at least 471 preventable ADEs, and provided a 5-year return on investment (ROI) of $1.87 million, with an internal rate of return of 81%. Conclusion Financial analysis of the incremental costs of IV safety systems can help calculate anticipated ROI accurately and better prioritize implementation of these systems.