Infusion Pumps: Improving Healthcare Safety

Infusion pumps have not always been as safe as they are now. Even in their current form, it’s important that clinicians are aware of the proper processes to follow to ensure no harm comes to the patient.

Here at Paragon Care, we understand the important role a medical equipment supplier plays in prioritising patient safety and wellbeing. Our equipment is high-quality, and our Service and Technology team is on hand to deal with any maintenance issues, no matter how seemingly small.

What is an infusion pump?

An infusion pump is a medical device used to deliver fluids to a patient in a controlled manner. These fluids can include nutrients, hydrating substances, or medication. Infusion therapy is usually used in situations where a patient cannot take in fluids normally, ie. orally. This can be for a range of reasons, including damage to the mouth or gastrointestinal tract.

Infusion therapy can also be used in situations where a patient is not responding to oral medication. Some particularly severe or persistent infections may need to be treated intravenously as a matter of urgency. The same also applies to patients who are severely dehydrated and need fluids delivered in concentrated amounts as soon as possible.

An infusion pump facilitates these types of treatments. There are many different types of infusion pumps, each designed to administer fluids at a different rate. Broadly speaking, infusion pumps can be broken up into two categories: stationary and ambulatory. As the name suggests, stationary pumps are those used at a patient’s bedside, while ambulatory can be used on the go.

Potential risks

Even the most advanced infusion pumps must be set up in the correct manner to avoid the risk of patient injury occurring. These risks can include:

Software defects: Infusion pumps are quite high-tech these days and tend to come equipped with alarms that are designed to alert nurses if something is wrong. However, these alarms have been known to malfunction, failing to sound when the infusion pump needs attention or ringing when there is no problem.

Safety risks in this category can also include errors that occur when pre-programming the amount of fluid that is required or the rate at which it should be administered.

User error: Like any type of medical device, there is always the chance of user error occurring when setting up an infusion pump. This can happen if a nurse is using a particular type of infusion pump for the first time or the interface makes it particularly unclear what is required from the human user.

Mechanical failure: Some infusion pumps are battery operated while others require a wall socket. Either way, mechanical failure is a common safety concern. Batteries can run out and poorly maintained cords have the potential to start a fire.

Mitigating all of these risks is doable and important. Generally speaking, it requires making sure that all of your clinicians are trained in the particular equipment you are using (as there are many different makes and models of infusion pumps) and scheduling equipment maintenance on a regular basis.

Any potential risks should be regularly discussed and employees should feel comfortable asking questions about how equipment works.

Paragon Care — prioritising patient wellbeing

At Paragon Care, our many years in the medical equipment industry have taught us how best to prioritise patient wellbeing and safety.

We are proud to supply high-quality equipment to hospitals, clinics, and a variety of other healthcare providers. We understand that clinicians need to trust in the accuracy and performance of medical equipment and make quality one of our top priorities.

We understand that medical equipment, like any other type of equipment, requires regular servicing to maintain peak performance. Our Service and Technology team is made up of trained professionals who can conduct maintenance and repairs in a timely and efficient manner. Our friendly and experienced customer service team is on hand to answer any questions you might have about an infusion pump or any other type of equipment.

Contact Paragon Care today to find out more about our product portfolio and the steps we take to prioritise patient wellbeing.