title: Comparing Three Methods for Dilution Accuracy of Intravenous Preparations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dilutions of intravenous medications may be inaccurate. The mixing technique may be a crucial factor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three factors of dilution were tested: volume for dilution (large vs small), method for mixing (shaking vs inversion), and number of maneuvers (3 times vs 10).
  
  
  METHODS
  Dilutions of glucose in saline solution were made by nurses, after a random factorial plan. The judgment criteria were the comparison between measured (Cmes) and expected (Cexp) concentration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cmes (n = 40) ranged from 89.5% to 123.6% of Cexp and was more accurate when made with a large volume (98.4% of Cexp vs 106.5%) and when mixed by inversion (100.6% of Cexp vs 104.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inversion rather than shaking and dilution in a large volume is a simple procedure for bedside medication preparation that allows better accuracy. The 3 versus 10 mixing procedures resulted in the same accuracy, which may be important for these time-consuming procedures. These results should be confirmed in clinical situations.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rios
authors.forename: Renaud
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vialet
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dosmas
authors.forename: Anderson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loundou
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Michel
mesh_terms: D004339:Drug Compounding; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous
keywords: administration; intravenous; pharmaceutical solutions/administration & dosage; research; syringes