IV infusion pumps

[Julzml]

I am doing my competencey on pluma infusion pumps. I'm having a major mental blank on indications for using a pump (as opposed to a gravity infusion). Also would problem solving just be the same as for all infusions or are there others that relate particularly to pumps?

[al7139, ASN, RN]

Hi,

I hope this helps a little bit. Here at my hospital, we try to use pumps for all IV infusions, although it is acceptable to place PLAIN IV fluids on gravity or a "Dial-a-Flow." The reasons for this are many. First some meds such as antibiotics, antivirals, iron supplements, etc., should not be infused too fast due to potential side effects, so we always place them on a pump.

Also those high risk drugs like Cardizem, Nitro, Amiodarone, Lasix, and Primacor should never be infused without a pump regulating the dose. You could kill your patient, because it is hard to accurately regulate the dose without a pump.

As for plain IV fluids, I do not like to see them on gravity because of the potential for fluid overload (especially in those CHF or electrolyte imbalanced patients).

With infusions to gravity, the regulators on the line can be moved accidentally with very serious consequences to the patient.

If a pump malfunctions, it will alarm, alerting the nurse to check it, and because the line is running through the pump, will STOP the infusion, rather than open it to full flow.

The only drawback to the pump is programming error (the nurse makes a mistake entering the drip rate or other info), which can be easily avoided by having a second nurse check the infusion.

Hope this helps.

Amy

[Julzml]

Thankyou so much. I kinda thought it was along those lines, but couldn't find anything anywhere to check if it was right. All the books have problem solving for an IV site but not for a pump. Competency next week, think I will be ok, just have to keep practicing priming the line...