The non-injectable arterial connector (NIC): A cost effectiveness assessment to improve arterial line safety (May 2015)

Summary

In intensive care units (ICU) and operating theatres, arterial lines are used to accurately measure a patient’s blood pressure and take numerous and repetitive blood samples. In order to prevent bacterial contamination and blood spillage from the arterial line, red arterial connectors, which are closed cap coverings, are placed on the sampling port of the arterial line. Doctors from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Kings Lynn have collaborated with Eastern Academic Health Science Network and the Patient Safety Collaborative on this patient safety solution.

Content

The aims of this study were to:

• eradicate accidental administration of medication into the arterial line and improve arterial line safety
• estimate the prevalence of wrong route arterial line drug errors
• conduct primary research
• implement the NIC in the East of England
• assess cost effectiveness and the uptake of the NIC in the East of England
• understand the reasons for barriers to adoption.