The use of standardised infusion concentrations offers several significant benefits, including an opportunity to develop licensed, ready-to-administer formulations, such as pre-filled syringes, which can eliminate the known risks and inconsistencies associated with ward-level preparation while also saving nursing time.
Standardisation also enables the creation of a national “smart pump” drug library, reduces variation in practice between centres, ensures continuity of care during patient transfers and enhances familiarity for staff rotating between hospitals.
It supports improved use of “closed-loop” medication administration systems, including electronic prescribing, smart pumps and barcode drug identification.
All practitioners and providers of care to children and young people, as well as national organisations committed to improve safety of medicines in children, are encouraged to review and implement the recommendations in the framework.
This framework was updated in November 2024 to introduce standardised concentrations for delivering a comprehensive range of drugs to patients under 2kg and includes minor adjustments to a small number of existing standardised infusion concentrations for larger patients.