Increasing Medication Access by Promoting Appropriate Use of Multi-dose Vials

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Quality Improvement
• Pharmacoeconomics

Background:

• Medication shortages present a significant challenge for healthcare providers and patients nationwide.
• Multi-dose vials (MDVs) offer a potential strategy to mitigate waste and reduce costs, thereby enhancing medication accessibility.
• Barriers to the appropriate use of MDVs in clinical practice require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To promote the appropriate and safe utilization of multi-dose vials (MDVs) among anesthesia providers.
• To address and overcome identified barriers to MDV use within an independent plastic surgery practice.
• To assess the impact of an educational intervention on the efficiency of MDV usage.

Main Methods:

• A focus group was conducted to identify barriers to MDV use.
• An e-learning module and a simplified flow sheet were developed and implemented.
• The intervention focused on safe handling, preparation, labeling, and administration of medications from MDVs.
• Ketamine utilization from MDVs was compared pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Anesthesia providers reported high satisfaction with the e-learning module.
• A 14% increase in the number of ketamine doses obtained per multi-dose vial was observed post-implementation.
• The intervention demonstrated improved efficiency in medication utilization.

Conclusions:

• Educational interventions and cognitive aids can effectively promote the appropriate use of MDVs.
• Optimizing MDV usage can contribute to managing medication shortages and improving drug access.
• The findings suggest broader applicability of these strategies in diverse healthcare settings and with various medications.