Do power cords for IV pumps bother you?

[jcalvin]

Just wondering if other people are annoyed with having to deal with the power cords for IV pumps. I think they are quite a nuisance. I was also wondering how other people deal with trying to keep pumps plugged in after patients use the bathroom, walk around, etc.

[I<3H2O, BSN, RN]

hahaha honestly, I've never given thought to it. Teach your patients that if they cannot plug it back in then they need to call out to have assistance. Power cords are kind of a necessary evil...

[Emergent, RN]

I'm thankful for pumps and electricity.

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

They are fine unless somebody doesn't plug them in.

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

If your pump does not have enough battery life to last longer than a trip to the bathroom then you have a problem send the pump to biomed. Also I agree I may only be nursing for 8 years but I worked in a hospital that only had a limited supply of pumps. I know how to run a burette, dial flow and running tapes. Be thankful for the pumps :)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Nope, the power cords for IV pumps do not bother me one bit.

On the other hand, when the cord is unplugged and the machine is running off of limited battery power, that somewhat worries me.

[kool-aide, RN]

I just don't like when cords from all the pumps and other machines are on the floor and tangled. I try to keep them coiled up but that can pose an endless task. I don't dwell on it

[Clovery]

If I'm lucky enough to have a patient who can get himself to the bathroom, it is my pleasure to deal with the IV pump plug. Most patients I work with are bedbound and incontinent. Plugging something into the wall is easier than a bath and linen change.

[Twinmom06, ASN, APN]

If I'm lucky enough to have a patient who can get himself to the bathroom, it is my pleasure to deal with the IV pump plug. Most patients I work with are bedbound and incontinent. Plugging something into the wall is easier than a bath and linen change.

Absolutely! I teach my walkie talkie patients how to plug the cord back in. Most of our pumps have at least 8 hours of battery life in them anyway so when I make hourly rounds I can plug them back in if they forget.

[HikingEDRN, BSN, RN]

I just wish the designers of our hospital (building is five years old) had placed the outlets in a place that doesn't require me to bend and twist behind equipment to plug the cords in!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Of all the things that could possibly bother me---and DO---this isn't one of them.

[edimo]

If you coil the cord and then secure it, you'll have less of a tripping hazard on the floor to deal with. For those patients up and about, I tell them it's just like any other appliance in your house that needs to be recharged...if you're stationary, plug it in! If they forget the first few times, no biggie...I'll track down the beeping "low batt" pump, but soon enough, they catch on