Background

Patients in the ICU often require multiple simultaneous infusions, making it essential to ensure drug compatibility while minimizing the number of IV lumens used. This is a web-based application that helps users optimize and visualize IV medication infusion groupings. The primary objective is to group compatible medications into the fewest number of ports/lumens, with a preference for 3-drug groups, while respecting compatibility constraints.

This is Version 1.31, published January 9, 2025.

Short Explanation on Stacked versus Separated Modes:

Secondary infusions, like intravenous piggybacks (IVPB), are typically intermittent rather than continuous, which changes the dynamics of compatibility and lumen usage. To address this, the tool incorporates Stacked and Separated modes to manage multiple secondary infusions.

• In Stacked Mode, secondary infusions can share a single lumen even if they are incompatible with each other, as long as they are compatible with the primary infusion. This assumes the nurse is confident that the secondaries will not run simultaneously, minimizing lumen usage by allowing the secondaries to “break” the usual three-infusion-per-lumen rule. For example, magnesium sulfate and potassium phosphates, which are incompatible with each other but compatible with vasopressin, can share the same lumen if administered at different times.

• In Separated Mode, the tool prioritizes safety by ensuring incompatible secondaries are never grouped together, even if each is individually compatible with the primary infusion. This mode is ideal for scenarios where multiple secondaries are expected to run simultaneously, such as administering several antibiotics or electrolytes concurrently. By incorporating these modes, the tool provides flexibility and more accurately reflects real-world infusion practices, balancing efficiency and safety for complex medication regimens.

How To

To use the Enhanced Compat Mode application:

1. Select the medications you want to administer by checking the boxes under their respective categories.

2. Choose the secondary infusion behavior:

• Stack Secondaries: Select this if you do not expect multiple secondary infusions to run simultaneously. This allows secondaries to share the same group, even if they are incompatible with one another, as long as they are compatible with the primary infusions.

• Separate Secondaries: Select this if you expect multiple secondary infusions to run simultaneously. This ensures incompatible secondaries are distributed across different groups.

• Explanation:

3. Click the “Optimize Grouping” button to generate the optimized grouping of medications.

4. Review the results displayed in the table, showing grouped medications for infusion.

5. If needed, click the “Reset” button to clear your selections and start over.

Disclaimer

This tool is intended for educational purposes only. While it is designed to assist in understanding and exploring IV medication compatibility workflows, it has limitations that users should carefully consider. Conditional compatibilities have not yet been factored into the coding, meaning certain nuanced or situational interactions may not be accounted for. Additionally, medication formulations can vary between manufacturers and may change over time, potentially leading to compatibility issues in specific circumstances.

This tool has not been fully refined, rigorously tested, or wholly verified for clinical use. It is not a substitute for clinical judgment, official compatibility references, or your institution’s protocols. Always cross-reference with updated guidelines and manufacturer information before making clinical decisions. As an educational tool, it serves to provide insights into compatibility grouping processes but should not be relied upon for patient care. Use it responsibly and with appropriate caution.