Get Smart, Canada: Exploring Smart Pump Implementation, Management, and Compliance with Standards through a...

Smart pump technology is relatively new, and uncertainty exists regarding best practices for development and management of the drug libraries in these devices. In Canadian hospitals, IV smart pumps and their drug libraries are created and maintained according to recommendations from Accreditation Canada and guidelines from the US Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). Current compliance with these standards in Canada is unknown. However, neither organization provides specific operational steps detailing how to effectively create and manage a drug library, which leaves significant room for interpretation. Furthermore, the human resources dedicated to creation and management of these libraries in accordance with guidelines and standards are unknown.

To describe current compliance with standards and guidelines for smart pump drug libraries; the processes used for drug library set-up, management, training, and support; and the resources currently used for these activities in Canadian hospitals.

A 43-question online survey was made available in spring 2021 to multidisciplinary team members involved in implementation of IV smart pumps and/or management of drug libraries in Canadian hospitals.

A total of 55 complete or partial responses were received. Most responses indicated that standards set by Accreditation Canada and ISMP were not being met, with only 30% (14/47) updating their libraries at least quarterly and 47% (20/43) performing quality reviews at least every 6 months. Although the majority of respondents reported regular monitoring of compliance, 30% (11/37) did not perform such monitoring. Results further indicated variation across Canadian hospitals in set-up, management, training, and support related to drug libraries, as well as variation in the human resources available for these activities.

Canadian health authorities and organizations are not meeting current ISMP and Accreditation Canada standards for smart pumps. Variation exists in terms of strategies for creating and managing drug libraries, as well as in the training and resources needed to support these initiatives. Canadian health authorities and organizations should prioritize meeting these standards and should closely review the resources required to do so.