Design, evaluation, and dissemination of a plastic syringe clip to improve dosing accuracy of liquid medications

Ann Biomed Eng. 2013 Sep;41(9):1860-8. doi: 10.1007/s10439-013-0780-z. Epub 2013 Mar 8.

Abstract

Pediatricians in Africa requested a tool to improve caregiver dosing of liquid antiretroviral medication. We developed, evaluated and disseminated a clip to control the amount of medication drawn into an oral syringe. In a laboratory, a user tested clips of different lengths, corresponding to different volumes, by drawing water into a syringe with a clip. In Texas and Malawi, 149 adults attempted to measure Pepto-Bismol™ using a syringe with a clip, a syringe without a clip, and a dosing cup, in a randomly assigned order. In the laboratory, the volume of liquid, ranging from 1 to 4.5 mL, drawn into the syringe was always within at least 5 μL of the intended dose. In Texas, 84% of doses were accurate within ±10%, vs. 63% using the syringe alone, and 21% with the dosing cup. In Malawi, 98% of doses were accurate to within ±10%, vs. 90% using the syringe alone, and 27% with the dosing cup. For target accuracy values within ±45% (±21%), a significantly higher fraction of Houston (Kamangira) participants delivered an accurate dose using the syringe with the clip than with the syringe alone (p < 0.05). The clip enables a greater proportion of users to accurately measure liquid medication.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Antidiarrheals / administration & dosage*
  • Bismuth / administration & dosage*
  • Equipment Design / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Organometallic Compounds / administration & dosage*
  • Salicylates / administration & dosage*
  • Syringes / standards*
  • Syringes / trends

Substances

  • Antidiarrheals
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Salicylates
  • bismuth subsalicylate
  • Bismuth