Comparison of Operator Workloads Associated with the Single-unit Anyfusion(®) Pump and the Changeover from a Syringe Pump to an Infusion Pump

BACKGROUND: A changeover from a syringe pump to an infusion pump may transiently interrupt drug administration and result in medication errors. A newly developed infusion device (Anyfusion(®)) that combines the functions of an infusion pump and a syringe pump in a single unit was recently commercialized. This study compared the operator workloads associated with the Anyfusion(®) pump and with the conventional method using two infusion devices (a syringe pump and an infusion pump). METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, crossover-designed simulation study using an imitation arm with an intravascular line. We compared the two methods in terms of total execution time, total number of button clicks, and subjective difficulty using a numerical rating scale with a score from 0 (extremely easy) to 10 (extremely difficult). RESULTS: Twenty-two nurses successfully performed both interventions according to the allocated sequence. Total execution times did not differ between the two methods (129.5 ± 23.2 seconds for the conventional method vs. 121.2 ± 24.3 seconds for the Anyfusion(®) method; P = 0.244), although the total number of clicks was significantly fewer using the Anyfusion(®) than the conventional method (median [interquartile range]: 10.0 [9.0–12.0] vs. 21.0 [20.0–25.0], respectively; P < 0.001). Participants rated the Anyfusion(®) method as easier than the conventional method (1.7 ± 1.2 vs. 3.6 ± 1.6; P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The introduction of Anyfusion(®) lessened the workload of practitioners required by the changeover process, which might reduce the risk of medication errors and subsequent patient harm. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0004172