IV pump height safety?

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Good Day everyone,

Has anyone ever heard of any studies or hospital policies anywhere , that the IV pumps should not be above a certain height

on the IV pole? I'm just wondering since most of the nurses where I work place the pumps almost at the top of the pole, so they don't have to squat or bend to program the pump. I myself think this is extremely dangerous d/t tipping of the pole, but no one will listen to me without information to back it up. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilites,.

wow you must work with some really tall nurses. I usually see the pumps in the middle of the pole.

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Specializes in CNA: LTC & DD.

I dunno, IV bags can be pretty heavy and they're hung from the top of the pole. I guess it would depend on what kind of IV pole you have, how big the base is, how much is already hanging on it, and how big your pump is.

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Actually I seen on a video somewhere (youtube?) where there is a reason but just can't think why.....have to try to find it again

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

I am guessing the manufacturer/vendor would have some recommendations.

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Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

how much tubing do you have between the spike end of the giving set and where it has to be inside the machine determines where I place the pump

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Most of the nurses I work with wouldn't be able to program the pumps if they were that high on the pole!

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The pump should theoretically work fine no matter where it is placed, the only danger I could see is 5 or 6 pumps causing a weight to stabilization imbalance. Most IV poles have really wide bases; and if you have THAT many pumps on one pole, the pt. is no doubt in ICU and not moving out of bed ANYWAY.

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Specializes in Vascular Access.

Ideally,

The pump should be screwed onto the lower base. If it is screwed onto the upper portion it could be problematic because: 1. the upper part is the part that pivots up and down. If it is attached onto this portion and the upper portion "slides down" then this can cause instability and possible patient harm from the sudden movement. 2. the broader base is going to provide greater stability for the pump. Though it may be easier to see/program etc. when it is on the upper portion of the IV pole, it isn't the safest option.

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Specializes in Spinal Cord injuries, Emergency+EMS.
wow you must work with some really tall nurses. I usually see the pumps in the middle of the pole.

i'd agree with that , I usually put the pump on the stand at or slightly higher than my waist height (i'm 1.75 m / 5ft9 tall ) or roughly level with the patient if their bed is at a 'typical' height, this means most of the staff ranging from 4ft11 and a half to over 6 foot are at a comfortable height to programme the pumps etc ... this is also towards the top of the lower section on the old drip stands -( our new stands have a 1.5 tall 'bottom' section)

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Specializes in Med/Surg Tele.

We have Alaris pumps (which are awesome if you ask me!), and if the "brain", or pump part is too high, secondary bags will not empty all the way. The "brain" is supposed to be heart level with the patient. I remember learning this in orientation, but sometimes I'd walk into a room that was already set up, and couldn't figure out why the ABX weren't running through. Another nurse reminded me about it, we dropped it down, and voila - bags run fine. Darn physics gets me every time...

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Specializes in General 9yrs; Ortho-2y Intensive Care-6y.

do we really have a need for policies or studies for this? i mean-common sense should be applied after all....

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