Table 16:

Identifying IV Infusions: Summary of Design Principles Associated With Reduced Errors

Design Principles	Examples (Designs Tested in Laboratory Study)
Decrease Visual Complexity and Augment Organization
Map IV container with the corresponding IV pump/channel	IV rake pole-top organizer
Separate infusions and minimize tangles	IV tubing organizers below the pump and at the patient bedside (bedside organizers were attached to create 1 central panel)
Improve and Standardize Visual Communication Along the Infusion Pathway
Clearly and accurately communicate the name of the infusing drug/fluid on the IV tubing (regardless of tubing orientation)a	Preprinted wraparound flag labels with the name of the drug/fluid on either side of flag (white labels with black type)
Visually distinguish the emergency medication line	Colour-differentiated preprinted labels (yellow instead of white)
Communicate infusion contents near/at pump and lower injection port (i.e., at the patient bedside)	2 labels per infusion: 1 immediately below the pumpb (not on the pumpc) and 1 above the lower injection port (not below the portd). Note: The IV tubing organizer immediately below the lower injection port created a central panel for viewing labels
Communicate which patient access port an infusion is connected to	IV tubing organizer that groups infusions by patient access port (organizer colours matched access port colours for the central triple-lumen catheter)

Abbreviation: IV, intravenous.

^aMay not be required for all infusions (further research is required).

^bMay not be required when infusions are programmed in the drug library of a smart pump that clearly communicates infusion details on its display.

^cAdhesive labels placed on a pump may not be removed when a medication is discontinued and the pump is reused for a new and different infusion.

^dAdhesive labels placed below an injection port may not accurately reflect the IV tubing contents, because the tubing may contain more than 1 medication.