Secondary infusions is a common method to deliver short infusions of intravenous (IV) drugs and fluids. Errors associated with this infusion method have led to patient safety concerns. This study's objective was to empirically evaluate interventions to mitigate secondary infusion risks. Three interventions, including a technology-based intervention (clamp detector on a smart pump), a training-based intervention (educational module), and a practice-based intervention (use of a separate pump for short infusions), were tested in a simulated inpatient unit. The technology-based intervention significantly decreased secondary clamp errors whereas the training-based intervention reduced complex pressure differential errors. The practice-based intervention was the only intervention that significantly decreased both secondary clamp errors and pressure differential errors, but introduced new risks due to mismanagement of residual volume in IV tubing. Study results highlight the need for a combination of mitigation strategies and can help guide the selection of interventions to reduce secondary infusion errors.

Secondary infusions is a common method to deliver short infusions of intravenous (IV) drugs and fluids. Errors associated with this infusion method have led to patient safety concerns. This study's objective was to empirically evaluate interventions to mitigate secondary infusion risks. Three interventions, including a technology-based intervention (clamp detector on a smart pump), a training-based intervention (educational module), and a practice-based intervention (use of a separate pump for short infusions), were tested in a simulated inpatient unit. The technology-based intervention significantly decreased secondary clamp errors whereas the training-based intervention reduced complex pressure differential errors. The practice-based intervention was the only intervention that significantly decreased both secondary clamp errors and pressure differential errors, but introduced new risks due to mismanagement of residual volume in IV tubing. Study results highlight the need for a combination of mitigation strategies and can help guide the selection of interventions to reduce secondary infusion errors.