A new health technology being marketed in Ontario today is the next generation of infusion pumps. The new pumps, developed in an attempt to reduce intravenous medication administration errors, are commonly referred to as smart pumps.  They have built-in safeguards to alert users to potential programming errors. 

The Healthcare Human Factors Group collaborated with the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee (OHTAC) and the Medical Advisory Secretariat, Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, to evaluate new infusion pump systems, and provide recommendations regarding their implementation in Ontario. Of particular interest were the end-to-end issues associated with intravenous medication delivery, the key factors that contribute to their successful adoption and the intrinsic performance and usability of the smart pumps themselves.  

The first report combines high fidelity usability analysis of smart pumps in the labs at the Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, along with field studies to understand their impact on nurses’ performance and key factors that contribute to the successful migration from traditional pumps to smart pumps. 

The supplementary report, based on two additional high fidelity usability studies, discusses which design features of smart infusion pumps are preferable, and recommends strategies to optimize staff education.  

In response to issues raised in this work, a new study is underway focusing on errors associated with multiple-line infusions.

Publications:  

Smart Medication Delivery Systems Supplementary Report
Date of issue: May 2010

Smart Medication Delivery Systems Full Report
Date of issue: June 2009

OHTAC Recommendations
Date of issue: July 2009