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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
09:57
A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit
Published on: July 13, 2019
[Infusion pumps and patient safety]
Brian Bjørn1, Kim Garde, Beth Lilja Pedersen
1Hvidovre Hospital, Enhed for Patientsikkerhed, Afsnit 423.
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|February 6, 2007
Summary
Infusion pump safety is enhanced by standardized procurement and usability testing. User errors cause most critical incidents, highlighting the need for better training and user-friendly device design.
Area of Science:
- Medical device safety
- Clinical engineering
- Healthcare technology management
Context:
- Infusion pumps are vital for precise medication delivery but pose patient safety risks.
- Potential hazards include free-flow, inadequate staff training, and device limitations.
- Analysis of technical and organizational data from Copenhagen Hospital Corporation (CHC) was conducted.
Purpose:
- To analyze critical incidents related to infusion pump use in CHC hospitals.
- To identify causes of infusion pump-related errors and patient safety risks.
- To recommend improvements for infusion pump procurement and usage.
Summary:
- Forty-two different infusion pump models are used across five CHC hospitals.
- 71% of 919 volumetric infusion pumps feature set-based free-flow protection.
- User error, primarily incorrect infusion rate setting, caused 40% of critical incidents.
- Infusion line disconnection or kinking led to 27% of incident reports, including two cases of awareness under anesthesia.
Impact:
- Centralized procurement and standardized equipment libraries can mitigate patient safety risks.
- Mandatory usability testing using validated methods before procurement is crucial.
- Further research into user-friendly medical equipment design is necessary to improve safety and reduce under-use.
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