Is Prefilled Contrast Agent Effective in Timesaving and Patient Safety
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2018, Vol 9, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: In CT imaging, when preparing contrast agent, the prefilled type is simpler to use than is the vial type. In this study, the benefits from using prefilled contrast agent were examined. Methods: The benefits of the prefilled type were defined as time saving and prevention of infection. We measured the preparation time in 3 general hospitals, and then estimated the time saving benefit by multiplying the result by the cost of the CT scan. To gauge infection prevention, we conducted a decision analytic model and estimated the benefits using the probability of infection from the decision model and treatment costs. Results: The cost of both drugs was equal; however, the additional material cost associated with vial type agent was $18.18, which is higher than that of the prefilled type. The reduction in time from using the prefilled type was on average 51.9 seconds, and the time savings was estimated as $7.22 per case. The benefit of preventing infection was estimated at $0.24 per case when using the prefilled type. Therefore, the total benefit was estimated at $25.64. Conclusions: The prefilled type was superior to the vial type in that it was associated with lower costs and higher benefits.Ultravist has been used as a contrast agent in computed tomography (CT) imaging and allows for an efficient and optimized workflow [1, 2]. This contrast agent is marketed in two types, which are the vial type and the prefilled type. In the case of vial type contrast agent, for assembly and refilling, the contrast agent must be moved to an automatic injector using syringes, disposable tubes, and connectors. During this process, the staff frequently manipulates the contrast agent and several materials necessary for assembly. The materials that do not come into direct contact with a patient can be used for several examinations or for more than one patient, although the materials used during treatment are approved for single use only according to several guidelines about infection control [3]. Frequent handling and multiple uses of syringe and other materials potentially leads to bacterial contamination and local infection [4-8].On the other hand, the prefilled contrast agent requires no syringe filling during the assembly procedure. When using the prefilled type, fewer manipulations are done by the staff than are necessary when using vial type contrast agent; therefore, it has a benefit of lowering the risk of contamination or infection. Moreover, as the time required to assemble all the materials is shorter, the procedure is done with greater efficiency and there is a time saving benefit as well [5-9]. Hospital-acquired infections are an important indicator of patient safety, and influence treatment period and cost [6,10-12]. In order to reduce infection, disposable materials such as syringes and connecting tubes should be used only once, even though they do not come into contact with patients directly [3]. Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommended that single-dose or single-use vials should be used clinically only for one dose and for one patient [13,14].
Authors and Affiliations
Jinhyun Kim, Suyong Jeong, liming Tang, Eunhee Lee
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP591732
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.09.001759
- Views 167
- Downloads 0
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