Standardizing concentrations of adult drug infusions in Indiana

A multidisciplinary, consensus-driven initiative to promote the use of standardized medication concentrations for adult drug infusions across the state of Indiana is described.

To accomplish development of the Indiana Standard Concentrations of Adult Drug Infusions List ("the Indiana List"), several available lists of i.v. concentrations were compiled, consolidated, and compared. Lists of adult standardized i.v. concentrations were primarily drawn from Indiana regional patient safety coalitions, published literature, and publicly available lists of recommended i.v. concentrations. The standardization project, which expanded initial work completed by the Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety, was conducted in conjunction with Purdue University's Center for Medication Safety Advancement, the Indiana Hospital Association, and the 11 regional patient safety coalitions across the state.

After a review of 9 existing lists of standard i.v. concentrations, an initial list of 69 concentrations representing a total of 37 medications was derived; 34 of those concentrations were represented on at least 1 of the 3 evaluated Indiana regional patient safety coalition lists. A statewide interdisciplinary work group of representatives of regional patient safety coalitions and 9 health systems representing a total of 81 hospitals ranging from academic medical centers to critical access hospitals assembled to develop consensus on a final list of standard medication concentrations for adult i.v. infusions.

A final list of 28 concentrations of 26 medications was identified for the recommended Indiana List by an interdisciplinary work group. A checklist of considerations for implementation was also developed.