Study: Single-syringe pump reduces OR propofol waste

Editor's Note

Research published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia suggests that switching to a single syringe pump for both induction and maintenance of anesthesia could significantly cut propofol waste in operating rooms. EurekAlert! published the news October 29. 

Propofol waste accounts for up to 45% of medication waste in some ORs, with nearly a quarter of prepared propofol remaining unused after surgeries, researchers write. Conducted at the University Hospital Bonn and the University of Bonn, their study highlights how this approach can reduce the anesthetic’s waste by 30-50% without impacting patient safety.

Examining over 300 surgeries performed between June 2021 and June 2023, the study compared the standard method of using separate syringes for induction and maintenance with a single syringe pump. For procedures lasting 20 to 100 minutes, the single-syringe method reduced propofol waste by nearly half. Notably, factors like patient age, weight, and gender did not influence waste levels, but patients with regular alcohol or substance use required more anesthetic, particularly when separate syringes were used.