Infusion Pump Design

[rbs950]

Hi,

I am working on an infusion pump design. Would you please provide your opinion on the following two issues. Because we all have different point of views, I would like to get experts' opinions on these issues:

1) Should Power button be combined with Stop button or should they be separate?

When they are combined, pressing and holding the button will turn off the pump. While infusion is running, clinician will press this button to stop infusion.

When they are separate, clinician will press Stop button to stop a running infusion. If they press Power button while infusion is running, they will get a warning message but it will not turn off the pump or stop the infusion.

2) Should the light that indicates a running infusion be blinking or be on continuously?

When you see a flashing light (possibly green), would you think that the pump is running or would it lead you to think that it needs your attention?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

The buttons should be separate for safety purposes. And we have pumps that have green lights that kind of scroll as it runs, so at a glance we can know that the pump is running.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Honestly? I dig the Alaris pumps and don't have anything bad to say about them. You could look at their design and see if you can try to improve on it (doubtful, but you can try)...

[Tolos]

) Should Power button be combined with Stop button or should they be separate?

When they are combined, pressing and holding the button will turn off the pump. While infusion is running, clinician will press this button to stop infusion.

When they are separate, clinician will press Stop button to stop a running infusion. If they press Power button while infusion is running, they will get a warning message but it will not turn off the pump or stop the infusion.

2) Should the light that indicates a running infusion be blinking or be on continuously?

When you see a flashing light (possibly green), would you think that the pump is running or would it lead you to think that it needs your attention?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

I am an infusion nurse and I think the buttons for stop and pause should be separate. The scrolling green light on the ALaris model is good. How about adding to the design a pump that can cry out audibly "There is air in the line". Do something different for a change.

[NeosynephRN]

) How about adding to the design a pump that can cry out audibly "There is air in the line". Do something different for a change.

A talking IV pump...interesting idea...however I think it would push many of our demented, or withdrawl patients over the edge, thinking the equipment was talking to them...

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

A talking IV pump...interesting idea...however I think it would push many of our demented, or withdrawl patients over the edge, thinking the equipment was talking to them...

Can you imagine the family? I can see them now, running out to the nurses station, "THERE'S AIR IN THE LINE!!! DO SOMETHING!!!"

Sure, it scrolls that message now on my Alaris pump, but when it beeps, the family doens't know which one of my 6-8 pumps is beeping. They are mesmorized by the lines and lights.

But to have the machine tell them what's going on? No thanks!

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

ditto about the Alaris smart pumps.... they are, and will always be my favorite.

Agree that the power and stop buttons should be clearly marked and separated.

I like the fact that on the Alaris pumps, the green "lighthouse" light on top tells you from across the room that the pump is operational, and that it flashes red or yellow if otherwise.

[Annony RN]

A talking IV pump...interesting idea...however I think it would push many of our demented, or withdrawl patients over the edge, thinking the equipment was talking to them...

It would push ME over the edge for sure!