Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41705735›Full record

Observational studyJMIR human factors2026

Improving the Efficiency of the Intravenous Medicine Preparation Pathway With an Intravenous Workflow Software Solution in Full-Capacity Pharmacy Units at Watford General Hospital: Observational Study and Economic Analysis.

Bethany Umpleby, Nick Hex, Teresa Martins, Husanain Soori

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in JMIR human factors, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Bethany Umpleby *York Health Economics Consortium, York, United Kingdom.ORCID 0009-0001-2218-8054
Nick Hex *York Health Economics Consortium, York, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-6181-9429
Teresa Martins *West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Watford, United Kingdom.ORCID 0009-0005-1650-1322
Husanain Soori *West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Watford, United Kingdom.ORCID 0009-0007-0731-3033

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe existing intravenous systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) pathway in pharmacies is operationally inefficient. Manual, paper-based workflows render the system prone to human error, and the need for time-consuming manual verification diverts pharmacy staff time. The introduction of an automated workflow solution for the intravenous SACT pathway could optimize treatment timeliness and improve oncological outcomes for patients, aligning with the National Health Service Long Term Plan for improved cancer care.

objectiveThis observational analysis aimed to assess the change in time, cost, and errors following the implementation of the Becton Dickinson (BD) Cato Pharmacy system in an aseptic unit producing intravenous SACT at Watford General Hospital.

methodsData on compounding process times were collected manually by pharmacy staff before and after the implementation of the intravenous compounding software (BD Cato). The data were analyzed to estimate annual time savings, opportunity cost savings, and error reduction.

resultsThe intravenous compounding software produced a time saving of 18 (SD 9) minutes per drug, equating to 1034 hours saved per year (1034/2591, 39.9% reduction). If this time were repurposed to producing more intravenous SACT, Watford General Hospital could increase production by 66% (2298/3482) annually (2298 additional intravenous SACT). This represents an average cost saving of £11.29 (£1=US $1.273) per drug, equating to an annual opportunity cost saving of £39,246. The intravenous compounding software also decreased observed errors by 86% (43/50), a reduction of 43 errors over 2 months (approximately 258 fewer errors annually). Staff also preferred the intravenous compounding software to the manual system.

conclusionsImplementing intravenous compounding software can save time, reduce costs, and lower errors in intravenous SACT preparation. This could improve timely treatment access for patients with cancer.

Indexed as

Administration, IntravenousAntineoplastic AgentsDrug CompoundingEfficiency, OrganizationalPharmacy Service, HospitalSoftwareWorkflowHospitals, GeneralHumansAntineoplastic Agentsanticancer therapyautomationBD Cato Pharmacycompounding softwareefficiencyintravenous

Identifiers

PMID41705735
PMCPMC12961383

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.