Looking for answer about syringe pumps

TazziRN, RN · Mar 25, 2006

Wish I could help.....I've never had a pt who had meds via mini-infuser that DIDN'T have a primary line already in place.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 25, 2006

I would always connect via a primary line first, especially if you are talkin gof th epumps that infuse in about twenty minutes or less. Best to have a primary set for even three mls per hour to keep the line open, especially if you get tied up with something else.

I do not see these in use much anymore.

pricklypear · Mar 25, 2006

Surgery in our hospital uses Bard pumps - which are a type of syringe pump. I've never seen one directly attached to the pt - they are always going to a manifold on a primary line. Probably the biggest reason is the fact that they are highly concentrated, and run at pretty slow rates - not enough to keep the line open. I really don't think there is a specific policy at my hospital.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 25, 2006

We use them frequently in the ER for anti-emetics, small volume antibiotics, etc. I do always use a primary line too.

bren3299 · Mar 25, 2006

This is what I expected and I don't know how our hospital came up with the policy for these pumps. I know it is equivalent to giving a slow IV push and I don't have a big issue with doing this to a peripheral line as obviously safety has been established as far as rates. My issue comes with CVL maintenance and risk of thrombus formation. I must admit we get a lot of sluggish and plugged PICCs but hard to know if we are above average due to these pumps and our maintenance techniques without a proper study. No one seems to question this technique of directly connecting the microbore tubing to a PICC and then it sits there for often more than 10 minutes before being tended to. People have even been hooking them directly up to port-a-caths for a single dose of IV lasix with no primary and never asking if that might not be OK. Seems I am the only one who has brought it up- ever- in 9 years of using the things. Now I am acting as a clinical instructor and with all the emphasis on "evidenced-based practice" I am having trouble explaining to the students why we do this in the way we are. If anyone knows of a resource that could help me develop a proper policy for these things I would be very grateful.

TIA

Bren

esbadona · Mar 25, 2006

hi!! i'm not so sure if i can help you with your inquiry since i'm not working in america. as for us here in the philippines, we always connect the syringe pump to a primary line.

MackNJacks mom · Mar 26, 2006

We use syringe pumps with most of our IV meds. Although due to their cost we are switching to more bags if over 30mL. We use them with PIV's, PICCs, and CVL's. Many times we use them with no IVFs going. Our syringe pumps don't have the KVO function that our fluid pumps have, so it is always a concern to me with some staff who don't keep accurate times on their meds while they are in there beeping away with no flush going. I am glad you brought this up. Is my hospital not in step with the norm on this?

Crocuta, RN · Mar 26, 2006

I keep hearing at my facility that JCAHO will be nixing the mini-infusers in the near future, but I haven't seen anything in writing. Anyone else hearing this?

zacarias, ASN, RN · Mar 26, 2006

We occasionally use mini-infusers for large doses of Lasix etc, but people generally don't connect to a primary line unless there is already one going.

I think using a primary line is a good idea, for the reasons already stated.