Multiple intravenous drugs are often combined in the same tubing, syringe, or bottle, which greatly increases the risk of drug incompatibility. Providing information on avoiding drug incompatibilities is an important task for pharmacists and other medical staff. Techniques to avoid incompatibility include changing the administration schedule, flushing with normal saline before and after injection, and administering drugs by using separate lines. In our hospital, the drug information (DI) pharmacist uses ordering and departmental systems to provide information on avoiding drug incompatibilities when a physician prescribes an injection or a nurse prepares an injection based on a prescription. In addition, to avoid drug incompatibilities of continuous injectables, we developed a compatibility chart for 27 drugs. To facilitate its use by medical staff, the chart has been placed in injection preparation areas in each ward. In addition, the ward pharmacist checks and provides an appropriate intravenous line at the bedside. In conclusion, DI pharmacists should establish a system for avoiding drug incompatibilities, and drug infusion routes should be managed by ward pharmacists.
