Love or hate your IV pumps?

[steffimarty]

Hi everyone,

My hospital is looking to order new IV pumps. Can you guys share what brand you are using, and anything good or bad about it? Spare no details! I'd love to hear thoughts on usage, maintenance, cost... any input will be very helpful.

Thanks much!

Steffi

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

we use Alaris smart pumps by Cardinal. Look them up on the web. Their customer support is awesome! Easy to learn and use.

[MJB2010]

We also use Alaris, love them!

[steffimarty]

Thanks! I couldn't find customer support on Cardinal's website... Do you mind sharing a link? (Sorry it sounds so silly:)

Speaking of customer support, do they usually send technicians onsite, or it's more of online / phone support? Is reordering easy with them?

Funny that CareFusion seems to have to a line called Alaris too. Do you know what's the deal there?

Thank you so much!

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

We use CareFusion Alaris Smartpumps. I really like them, but I haven't had a ton of experience with other types. I don't know anything about cost or maintenance, except that ours seem pretty rugged...

[steffimarty]

Good to know... Can you say a bit more about what's good with CareFusion Alaris? I am kind of new to the whole thing. Thanks!

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

We use Alaris. Like a lot, not sure if I would go so far as to say I "love" (LUV? ) them. For the most part, they are easy to learn, intuitive to use, and make med error more difficulty (but not impossible).

No idea about cost and maintenance.

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

Good to know... Can you say a bit more about what's good with CareFusion Alaris? I am kind of new to the whole thing. Thanks!

I have found them easy to learn and use. There are guardrails for safety so long as you program the pump appropriately - for IVF, blood products, ABX, mag, potassium, TPN, drips, etc. There is a bolus function too, I've only used that with insulin drips. The PCA modules are pretty easy too, although I don't see those much at all.

I wish the batteries lasted a bit longer, but ours might just be getting old.

[steffimarty]

Thanks! Alaris sounds like the winner so far:)

I am curious how different pumps are from different brands, and what are the most important things to consider.

Have you guys heard about / used Hospira, Sigma or Braun?

[313RN, BSN, RN]

We use the Hospira Plum A pumps.

They're ok for simple stuff and are easy to use, but they only come in either a single pump (with 2 channels) or in a triple pump (with 6 channels).

The triples are huge and have to have a dedicated IV pole with a "Lily pad" to support them. Still not a big deal, but we can't travel with them because we can't take them off the poles and the poles won't fit into the elevators with the bed and two to three staff members.

I like the Alaris a lot too. Easy to use and I love how you can just slap another channel onto the side as needed. They are a lot less bulky than the Hospira.

I suspect however that they cost a bit more.

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

RIght, I do like how I can add or remove channels as needed. Plus, they can be taken off the poles... I didn't realize there were types that couldn't?

[eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN]

We have Alaris Medley. I love them. They are easy to use. Allow for multiple "modules" and can have preloaded drugs for different areas. They are picky about air in the line, which can be good or annoying. They have an easy PCA module and spo2 sensors.

I love them. As a cardiac nurse :)