Bolusing IV Administration Sets With Monoclonal Antibodies Reduces Cost and Chair Time: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Monoclonal antibodies are widely used anticancer therapies. Increasing demand for ambulatory care necessitates exploration of efficiency measures.

Objectives: The primary objective was to evaluate the impacts on chair time and associated cost of priming IV administration sets with a bolus of the prescribed monoclonal antibody drugs. A secondary objective was to assess the associated incidence of hypersensitivity reactions.

Methods: A large tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Australia, conducted a randomized controlled trial (N = 128) with a two-arm design. Included monoclonal antibodies were daratumumab, obinutuzumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab.

Findings: There was a statistically significant reduction in chair time for obinutuzumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab compared with the control. Findings suggest that this priming intervention reduces chair time and cost for some monoclonal antibody drugs. Future research could assess this practice in other oncology therapies.