- Infusion pump is a medical device used to deliver fluids into a patient’s body in a controlled manner. There are many different types of infusion pumps, which are used for a variety of purposes and in a variety of environments.
- Infusion pumps may be capable of delivering fluids in large or small amounts, and may be used to deliver nutrients or medications – such as insulin or other hormones, antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and pain relievers.
- Some infusion pumps are designed mainly for stationary use at a patient’s bedside. Others, called ambulatory infusion pumps, are designed to be portable or wearable.
A number of commonly used infusion pumps are designed for specialized purposes. These include:
• Enteral pump - A pump used to deliver liquid nutrients and medications to a patient’s digestive tract.
• Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump - A pump used to deliver pain medication, which is equipped with a feature that allows patients to self-administer a controlled amount of medication, as needed.
• Insulin pump - A pump typically used to deliver insulin to patients with diabetes. Insulin pumps are frequently used in the home.
What Is a syringe Pump?
A syringe pump is a small infusion pump (some include infuse and withdraw capability), used to gradually administer small amounts of fluid (with or without medication) to a patient or for use in chemical and biomedical research.
Another use of syringe pump is in palliative care, to continuously administer analgesics (painkillers), antiemetic (medication to suppress nausea and vomiting) and other drugs. This prevents periods during which medication levels in the blood are too high or too low, and avoids the use of multiple tablets (especially in people who have difficulty swallowing).
Working with Syringe &Infusion Pump:
• Pump Mechanism
• Battery Management
• Display/Keyboard self-test & system monitoring alarms
Timekeeping
Infusion Pump or Syringe Pump- Which one to use? A Clinical Perspective
From the clinical point of you, while choosing whether to use an infusion or syringe pump, the decision can be made by considering the following points:
• In general, cardiovascular and anesthesia department, the number of syringe pumps used is greater than infusion pumps
• It is more practical to use infusion pumps for gynecological purposes, neonatal, pediatric, emergency cases, burns, critical care, etc.
• Some tasks such as transfusion of a large amount of body fluids and electrolytes can take place only through infusion pumps
What are the major problems of infusion pumps &syringe pumps?
• Software problems
• Alarm errors
• Inadequate user interface design (“human factors” issues)
• Broken components
• Battery failures
By: B.M.T. Montadher Talib