COST EVALUATION OF A NEW IV DEVICE IN AN ISRAELI HOSPITAL

A new device for IV admixtures has been developed in Israel, the Viali nk minibag. It consists of a partly filled minibag, attached by rubber tubing to a sterile receptacle into which various types of vials cont aining drugs can be firmly inserted. Time and motion studies were cond ucted to determine the time and cost associated with the preparation, dispensing and administration of reconstituted parenteral antibiotics via CIVAS (within minibags or Vialink bags) and preparation by nurses in wards in minibags. CIVAS with minibags was least expensive, followe d by Vialink minibags. Self preparation on the ward by nurses was foun d to be the most expensive system. Only 55% of all IV admixtures can b e prepared by the Vialink system. As only one hospital in Israel has C IVAS, the study provides a solid justification for implementing pharma cy intravenous admixture services in all Israeli hospitals. The advant ages and disadvantages of each method are discussed. CIVAS (minibags a nd Vialink) permits the individualised preparation of sterile admixtur es for each patient and provides advantages in terms of efficiency, ec onomy and prevention of errors.