Cost comparison of two systems for intermittent intravenous administration of small-volume injections

Pharmacy department costs for preparing and administering intermittent i.v. drug doses using a piggyback bottle system and a syringe pump system were predicted and compared. Centralized i.v. admixture service personnel time for preparation of small-volume injections in piggyback bottles was recorded for 14 days. After a four-week orientation of personnel to the syringe pump system, personnel time for preparation of doses in this system was recorded for 14 days. Material costs were itemized for each system and annual costs were predicted. Costs were calculated on the basis of the previous year's purchasing data, assuming that 80% of intermittent i.v. drug doses could be given by the syringe pump system. Syringe pump system costs were calculated for administration of one to eight drug doses through each secondary infusion set; 5-mL and 10-mL syringes were used. Preparation time was slightly longer for the syringe pump system than for the piggyback bottle system; the annualized personnel cost difference was $0.012 per dose. Based on one dose per secondary infusion set, material costs were higher for the syringe pump system. Based on administration of four doses through each secondary infusion set, overall costs were lower for the syringe pump system. Lower material acquisition costs for the syringe pump system could result in pharmacy department cost savings if at least four intermittent i.v. drug doses were administered through each secondary administration set.