A multicenter study of costs and nursing impact of cartridge-needle units.

A multicenter study of the overall costs and impact on medication administration of sterile cartridge-needle units (Carpuject) and conventional disposable syringes with multiple- and single-dose vials was conducted in six hospitals in the Voluntary Hospitals of America (VHA) system. Data collection involved a time and motion phase measuring procurement, preparation, and disposal of both systems and a 6-month prospective global cost analysis of component costs, waste disposal, nursing time, needlestick injuries, and subsequent treatment. Nonacquisition costs were substantially lower with the use of the cartridge-needle units. When all costs are considered, sterile cartridge-needle units are a cost-effective alternative to conventional disposable syringes and multidose vials.