Does a prototype of a new drug administration system improve safety scores and save time compared to conventional methods in an anaesthetic simulator?
A prototype drug administration system improved perceived safety and reduced drug preparation time in an anaesthetic simulator, supporting progression to clinical trials.
Ten anaesthetists were observed while providing anaesthesia for two simulated surgical procedures, twice using conventional methods and twice using a prototype of a new drug administration system designed to reduce error. Aspects of each method were rated by users on 10-cm visual analogue scales (10 being best) and comments were invited. Median safety scores were 7.7 cm (range 4.3-8.9) for the new system and 4.6 cm (1.3-8.2) for conventional methods (p = 0.009). The new system was compared favourably with conventional methods in respect of safety (p = 0.005), clinical acceptability (p = 0.008), organisation and layout (p = 0.047), and acceptability for use on patients (p = 0.005). The new system saved time in the preparation of drugs both before anaesthesia (105 vs. 346 s; p < 0.001) and during anaesthesia (20 vs. 104 s; p < 0.001). Comments facilitated development of the system and the evaluation endorsed proceeding to a clinical trial.
Merry et al. (2002) studied this question.