THE HAGUE—In a report published today, the Netherlands Health Care Inspectorate writes there is inadequate collaboration between professionals involved in the use of IV pumps in home care.

The inspectorate argues that the lack of collaboration between doctors, nurses, home care organisations and suppliers of medical equipment can lead to dangerous situations in which patients receive too little or too much medication.

In the past two years, 26 people died in hospital as the result of incorrect use of intravenous drips; there are no figures available about the number of deaths in home care.

The Health Care Inspectorate writes that nurses must be properly trained to work with IV pumps. It also says a second nurse must always check whether an IV pump has been properly fitted, as is standard procedure in hospitals.

The inspector plans to introduce the use of respirators and dialysis machines to home care in the coming years.

Radio Netherlands/Expatica