INTRAVENOUS ADMIXTURE PRACTICE IN SOME MAJOR HOSPITALS IN TRIPOLI CITY

Mustafa S. Targhi, Tamader Y. Elghnimi*, Wadiaa A. Benamer, Wejdan Bzezi and Yousef M. Azzabi

ABSTRACT

Intravenous admixture studies are a vital part of developing a safe and efficacious sterile drug product intended for iv administration, special concerns are required for such drugs where the reversal of toxicity or unwanted effects following incompatibilities are problematic to deal with. The practice of adding drugs to intravenous fluids has many advantages. However, there are many disadvantages, some of which are potentially dangerous on the patient health, like the phenomenon of incompatibility between the added drugs and the intravenous fluids used as vehicles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intravenous admixture practice in some major hospitals around Tripoli city; Tripoli Medical Center (T.M.C), Tripoli Central Hospital (T.C.H), Abuslem Trauma Hospital (A.T.H), Jalaa Children Hospital (J.C.H) emphasizing the awareness of the personnel involved with the good practice of this type of service and how far pharmacists are involved. The results revealed that, I.V admixture preparation and handling, as well as, I.V admixture practice in the surveyed hospitals were not uniform and consistent with many deficiencies and pitfalls that might compromise patient safety.

Keywords: Intravenous admixture, aseptic technique, hospital pharmacist.