The nurse (or), before the appearance of the infusion pumps, spent much of her time to monitor the flow of these fluids, trying to obtain precision in the infusion, not achieving that accuracy due to multiple factors, among the most common that we can mention are: Patient movements, patient arm posture, inadequate catheter fixation, catheter couplings or equipment conveyor tubes, among others;
Principle
Infusion pumps generate mechanical pressure to move the fluid through a tube into the patient's vascular system, helping to administer fluids with more precision.Advantages of using pumps
They allow greater accuracy in the drip rate than gravity systems through a flow regulating clamp.They save nursing staff time since, with the use of pumps, it is not necessary to regulate the flow of the drip.
They allow all kinds of solutions, blood and its derivatives, drugs, and parenteral and enteral infusions to be administered. Adaptable to the needs of the patient, some of them are portable.
Infusion pumps, unlike gravity systems that are regulated by a trolley device that is adjusted by the nurse, if the patient changes position or if there is a contrast or resistance to the system, modify the flow of solution creating administration errors. There is a higher incidence of phlebitis, fluid overload, etc.
Classification of infusion pumps
Within the diversification of the pumps, most of the models work with electric current and batteries, among which we can mention:Peristaltic
Exerts greater pressure on the tube of the infusion equipment, rather than on the liquid itself, they are easy to use, economical, and work with conventional equipment.Syringe pump
Acts by compressing the syringe plunger at a controlled rate.
CONTROL AND SECURITY FUNCTIONS IN INFUSION SYSTEMS
At present, most infusion systems have the following functions:1. The total volume to be infused
Infusion pumps allow the user to select the volume to be infused (VTBI). If this limit is reached before the liquid source ends, most of the pumps trigger an alarm and continue to infuse liquid into a form of minimal infusion known by its acronym in English as KVO (keep vein open). It prevents the patient's intravenous or intra-arterial cannula from being clogged by thrombi.2. Alarms
Drip alarm It is actuated in case the drip chamber registers increase or decrease in the programmed flow rate, or a medication speed has been introduced during programming, which may result in a delivery profile that is too low for that medicine.Air alarm In some systems also called a vacuum alarm. The sensor can be inside or outside the system. Record the presence of air in the infusion tube. Delivery of the pump container size is complete, or the pump has detected 2 ml of air in the line.
Battery alarm. In infusion systems that have their rechargeable power source when connected to the power source, this device is activated when the power reserve is close to a critical level of operation, later to which the pump devices are inaccurate or not functional.
Standby alarm also called a reminder alarm. It works with a time device that triggers an audible alarm when the infusion is temporarily suspended.
Volume alarm Used in most Veterinary Infusion Pump, using audible and/or visible devices. It is activated when the infusion of the volume selected by the user is completed. Start infusion in KVO mode.
Overflow alarm for air-liquid drainage. In multiple infusion pumps, this device is operated when the specified system purge limit has been exceeded.
3. Secondary infusions
Pumps capable of delivering secondary infusions (in English known as piggyback) are becoming more common. Some units can control up to four different solutions. A variety of mechanisms control primary and secondary infusions; most require a special administration team with a shut-off valve on the primary line.What's more?
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