HTA Details
Multiple Intravenous Infusions
- Publication date
-
2014-May-01
- Status
- Final
- Topic Area
- Drugs, Drug Administration
- Recommendation
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Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee Recommendations:
- The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends standardizing the practice, design, and education related to the administration of multiple IV infusions to mitigate associated risks. Specifically, the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends the adoption of the 12 interventions indicated by the HumanEra field evaluations relating to the:
- setup and programming of multiple primary continuous infusions
- identification of an infusion
- management of dead volume
- set-up of secondary intermittent infusions
- administration of IV pump boluses
- The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends that Ontario Health and HumanEra develop an implementation strategy to facilitate the adoption of these interventions by the health system and establish key performance indicators to evaluate adherence to safe practice.
- The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends standardizing the practice, design, and education related to the administration of multiple IV infusions to mitigate associated risks. Specifically, the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends the adoption of the 12 interventions indicated by the HumanEra field evaluations relating to the:
- Ministry Response
-
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care endorses this recommendation.
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To read the full OHTAC Recommendation Report for this topic, contact our Health Innovation team using the contact form to request a digital copy.
Patients often need several intravenous (IV) infusions through infusion pump at one time. Every day in Ontario, at least 2,000 patients require more than one IV line. While we all expect and strive for effective and safe care, we know sometimes caregivers make mistakes when more than one IV infusion is given at a time, resulting in patient harm, including death. These mistakes happen all over the province, not in any one clinical unit, hospital, or region.
Smart infusion pump technology is now available, but the technology alone cannot reduce the many risks associated with giving more than one IV infusions at once. Improving safety requires a thorough understanding of the whole system.
Last Updated: February 24, 2026
