Standard concentration infusions and ‘smart-pumps’ are recognised as best practice in the paediatric setting. Implementation rates in European hospitals remain low. Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) developed a paediatric ‘smart-pump’ drug library using standardised concentrations. At time of development, other Irish hospitals continued to use traditional pumps and weight-based paediatric infusions.

To expand best paediatric infusion practices by nationalising use of the CHI drug library.

Tertiary paediatric, maternity and general acute hospitals, and associated transport services in Ireland.

The CHI drug library was first developed for paediatric intensive care and then adapted over a 10-year period for use in emergency departments, general paediatric wards, neonatal units, adult intensive care and transport services. The original library (42 drug lines, 1 ‘care-unit’) was substantially expanded (223 drug lines, 6 ‘care-units’). A neonatal sub-library was created.

Executive support, dedicated resources and governance structures were secured. Implementation and training packages were developed. Implementation has occurred across CHI, in paediatric and neonatal transport services, 58% (n = 11) of neonatal units, and 23% (n = 6) of paediatric sites.

A before and after study demonstrated significant reductions in infusion prescribing errors (29.0% versus 8.4%, p < 0.001). Direct observation of infusions (n = 1023) found high compliance rates (98.9%) and low programming errors (1.6%). 100% of nurses (n = 132) surveyed 9 months after general ward implementation considered the drug library had enhanced patient safety.

Strategic planning and collaboration can standardise infusion practices. The CHI drug library has been approved as a National Standard of Care, with implementation continuing.