Physical Compatibility of Intravenous Drugs Commonly Used in Intensive Care Units: An Observational Study and Physical Compatibility Laboratory Tests on Anti-Infective Drugs

Abstract Background The objectives were to perform an observation of the administration of injectable drugs in three ICUs, to identify injectable drugs administered by Y-site infusion or mixed in the same container, to compare with physical compatibility data available in the literature and to test the physical compatibility for missing data. Methods An observational study was realised over two weeks and patients receiving more than one injectable drug in the same line simultaneously were included. Physical compatibilities were assessed in pairs by comparing with three databases. For some missing data, three tests were realised for pairs including an anti-infective drug. Visual and subvisual evaluations were performed after the preparation, 1 and a 4-hour storage. Results A total of 389 combinations between two injectable drugs was observed for Y-site infusions and 31 mixtures in the same container. According to the literature, 21.1 % associations were physically compatible, 1.8 % as physically compatible potentially, 8.0 % as physically incompatible, 6.4 % have divergent data according to the databases and 62.7 % have no data. Two mixtures were documented. 37 pairs were tested and 70.3 % were physically compatible, 8.1 % were physically incompatible after visual evaluation and 21.6 % after subvisual evaluation. Conclusions In the majority of cases, no compatibility data are available in the literature. Laboratory tests give additional information.