Smart infusion pumps have the potential to improve medication safety, but research suggests that errors remain common and that careful consideration must be given to both design and implementation of such technology. Researchers conducted a survey of five health systems in Indiana to better understand smart infusion pump users' views and knowledge regarding the drug library update process. They identified significant knowledge gaps, especially around the steps necessary to update the drug library.

Nuisance drug alerts generated by smart infusion pumps can detract from safe care delivery by contributing to alert fatigue and interruptions. This commentary reviews a consensus initiative to decrease insignificant alerts across six health systems. The authors describe how the group standardized smart pump drug library management processes to refine dosage recommendations, policy development, alert review, and data usage to reduce alerts in acute care facilities. A past PSNet perspective discussed the importance of addressing hazards associated with smart pump utilization.

… harm if not safely used. This study aimed to develop a standardized tool to identify high-alert medications. The …

… Syst Pharm … Standardizing drug concentrations addresses a medication safety concern for both adult and pediatric inpatients. This commentary describes a state-wide consensus project that reconciled existing lists of adult IV drug concentrations to develop a final list of 26 IV concentrations to reduce risks of …

… and decision support for high-risk medications, have a proven record of preventing adverse drug events. However, …