Premixed intravenous admixtures: a positive development for hospital pharmacy.

The development of premixed intravenous admixtures is reviewed in a historical context, and its effects on hospital pharmacy practice are discussed. As pharmaceutical manufacturers introduce more i.v. medications in ready-to-use containers, the same complaints that were voiced by pharmacists about unit dose packaging and ready-to-dispense tablets and capsules are being aired. But premixed i.v. admixtures are a logical extension of the basic unit dose principle of providing a readily identifiable and ready-to-administer dose. The time and cost savings these products offer are needed in hospital pharmacies. Some of the disadvantages of these products--including storage and freezer space and multiplicity of administration systems--are overcome by proper planning and education of personnel. If fewer personnel are now needed to prepare i.v. admixtures, then those personnel should be used to improve patient care in other ways. The use of premixed i.v. admixtures is a positive technological advance in drug packaging. Its advantages outweight its disadvantages, and it will soon be become the universally accepted form of i.v. drug packaging.