afc40

Thanks all for your replies. This is a very important practice that I am finding many nurses don't understand. I am hoping that clinicians can make the connection between low rates and delayed start up time and if they don't, I want to start the conversation so they do. There is a reason why syringe pump manufacturers have the prime feature and it isn't just to fill the tubing with fluid. Any suggestions on how we can get the word out?

I am curious if my neonatal nurse friends are familiar with the concept of "priming" a syringe pump in order to remove mechanical slack. In a letter from the FDA dated 8/24/2016, safe use of syringe pumps was discussed and they mentioned that using the pumps priming feature will remove the mechanical slack of the pump and decrease friction that affects start up times especially at low flow rates. I was always taught to prime by hand, then after loading the syringe and before connecting to the patient, priming another drop or two to the end of the set, just as the FDA recommends, but I am told by some of my colleagues that they are not familiar with this practice. I would love to know if this is common practice and any comments this group may have.