In order to provide immediate access to emergency medications in our Obstetric ORs, we have a medication drawer that is easily accessible to all anesthesia personnel by badge access. Although there have been multiple ideas for organizing the drawer with easy access and safety in mind, the current state or the drawer leaves much to be desired:



Considerations for a new design included clear grouping of medication classes, sturdy construction, easy to clean surface, and modular design for easy revision in the future. I designed a new drawer inlay and discussed the design with the our residents. With some input from them, I clearly separated emergent GA drugs and emergent epidural medications to draw their eyes quickly to drugs that should be grabbed for each situation. Here is the first iteration of the design:



After printing out an example syringe inlay, feedback was that the finger wells were too small to grab the syringe quickly, so the wells were increased in size. Feedback was positive and the design was accepted readily by the department. After a few months of use the pharmacy began stocking rocuronium syringes instead of rocuronium vials. Due to the modular design, it was straightforward to revise the inlays and replace only one section of the inlay. After a couple weeks of use, it became apparent that the succinycholine and rocuronium syringes were being swapped when restocked, so I reprinted the rocuronium inlay in a different color to draw the eyes to the difference.

Here are the inlays currently in use in our all of our Obstetric ORs: