Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Improving the Efficiency of the Intravenous Medicine Preparation Pathway With an Intravenous Workflow Software
Bethany Umpleby1, Nick Hex1, Teresa Martins2
1York Health Economics Consortium, York, United Kingdom.
Background:
The existing intravenous systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) pathway in pharmacies is operationally inefficient. Manual, paper-based workflows render the system prone to human error, and the need for time-consuming manual verification diverts pharmacy staff time. The introduction of an automated workflow solution for the intravenous SACT pathway could optimize treatment timeliness and improve oncological outcomes for patients, aligning with the National Health Service Long Term Plan for improved cancer care.
Objective:
This observational analysis aimed to assess the change in time, cost, and errors following the implementation of the Becton Dickinson (BD) Cato Pharmacy system in an aseptic unit producing intravenous SACT at Watford General Hospital.
Methods:
Data on compounding process times were collected manually by pharmacy staff before and after the implementation of the intravenous compounding software (BD Cato). The data were analyzed to estimate annual time savings, opportunity cost savings, and error reduction.
Results:
The intravenous compounding software produced a time saving of 18 (SD 9) minutes per drug, equating to 1034 hours saved per year (1034/2591, 39.9% reduction). If this time were repurposed to producing more intravenous SACT, Watford General Hospital could increase production by 66% (2298/3482) annually (2298 additional intravenous SACT). This represents an average cost saving of £11.29 (£1=US $1.273) per drug, equating to an annual opportunity cost saving of £39,246. The intravenous compounding software also decreased observed errors by 86% (43/50), a reduction of 43 errors over 2 months (approximately 258 fewer errors annually). Staff also preferred the intravenous compounding software to the manual system.
Conclusions:
Implementing intravenous compounding software can save time, reduce costs, and lower errors in intravenous SACT preparation. This could improve timely treatment access for patients with cancer.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
One-Compartment Open Model for IV Bolus Administration: Estimation of Elimination Rate Constant, Half-Life and Volume of Distribution
One-Compartment Open Model for IV Bolus Administration: Estimation of Clearance
In the one-compartment open model for intravenous (IV) bolus administration, clearance is estimated by dividing the elimination rate by the plasma drug concentration. This equation leverages the elimination rate constant and the apparent...
One-Compartment Model: IV Infusion
The one-compartment model for IV infusion uses mathematical equations to describe the rate of change in drug quantity in the body. At steady-state or infusion equilibrium, the drug input...
Two-Compartment Open Model: IV Infusion
The model illustrates the decrease in plasma drug concentration from the central compartment with a specific equation. It shows that under steady-state conditions, the drug's input rate...
Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Intermittent IV Infusions
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

