Published Apr 20, 2018
rnjones2011
3 Posts
I work in an outpatient chemotherapy infusion center. We are looking to replace our infusion pumps. Wanted to know what pumps you guys use and the pros and cons of the pumps?
Thanks in advance
iluvivt, BSN, RN
2,774 Posts
Are you looking for an ambulatory pump?
Not ambulatory. For use in the office. We currently use hospira plum a pump. We really like this pumps features (ability to set call back, run meds concurrently through pump cartridge, ability to use attach syringes as secondary are a few). Problem is these pumps are breaking down and we are told they no longer make them and to look at other options.
AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P
2,587 Posts
I will have to check on the brand to know for sure, but at my hospital we use Alaris I believe. The pump base is just that, and you actually just add channels. Very few issues that I know of and they are easy to use. No hunting for a double channel pump any longer, just find a channel and add it on. You can also add a PCA channel to any of the pumps as well, also a bonus.
I will double check when I work if they are in fact allaris.
Annie
Swellz
746 Posts
And I came here to say anything BUT Alaris haha! The channel concept is a good feature, I just find they beep constantly.
blondy2061h, MSN, RN
1 Article; 4,094 Posts
Alaris is pretty much a monopoly. Does anyone here use a newish pump that's not Alaris in the us?
Buckeye.nurse
295 Posts
I want to say Hospira was the brand my previous employer used. It was a cartridge pump. I liked it for pediatric patients because you could attach a syringe as a secondary (for antibiotics) and run it concurrent with MIVFs. With the small weight based doses the kiddos received, most piggy back medications were dispensed in syringes.
My current employer uses Alaris. I hated the pump with a passion when I first transitioned (blame a new dog learning new tricks after 7 years of nursing). I've come to appreciate the ease of adding channels though. We also have integrated pumps now so that when I scan a med (chemo or otherwise), it automatically populates in the pump which reduces med errors from manually entering doses and rates.