Alaris Pump Saline Flush

[jdegia]

I was wondering if anyone using the Alaris CareFusion Pump could tell me how to set up a saline flush for the med line so that instead of beeping when its done, it automatically goes right back into running the primary infusion? Thanks in advance!

[Fiona59]

Use the secondary line programme for hanging meds. When the med runs through, it automatically defaults to the primary line. Be it Ringers or whatever.

The only time we worry about it a saline flush is if the med is contraindicated for using with Ringers.

[marie.rn2419, RN]

Apologies in advance if I am not reading this correctly, but what I am reading is... you are hanging a primary bag of fluids, then piggybacking a med, such as an electrolyte, and wanting the flush bag to start back up after the med? I'm assuming you know how to set up your tubing.

If so, what you need to do is program the primary bag first, by selecting the channel, choosing IVF or specifically the fluid you are running, pick the rate you want it to run at, and make sure that you program the volume for the whole bag minus enough fluid to alarm before it runs dry (if it's a 1L bag, I usually program 950). Then select secondary, and choose your med and program it. After the med runs, the primary will pick back up. If you do not program the primary first, then secondary, your pumps going to alarm when the secondary is done.

Hope that helps a little.