An infusion pump is a medical device designed to deliver fluids, nutrients, or medication into a patient’s body in highly controlled and precise amounts. Pumps are used at home because they offer accuracy and consistency that manual administration cannot guarantee, enhancing patient safety. While this guide offers general instruction, comprehensive, hands-on training specific to your device model is mandatory before initiating therapy. Safe home infusion therapy depends on strict adherence to protocols provided by your healthcare team.
Preparing the Equipment and Medication
Preparing for an infusion begins with meticulous attention to hygiene to prevent bloodstream infections. Hands must be washed thoroughly or sanitized before handling any supplies, and the work area should be clean and free of clutter. The medication requires careful verification against the written prescription, confirming the correct drug, dosage, and patient name. Inspect the medication bag for clarity, ensuring the solution contains no visible particles or discoloration, and check the expiration date.
Before connecting the medication, the infusion set tubing must be primed to completely remove all air bubbles from the line. Air in the line can trigger an alarm or potentially cause a complication if delivered to the patient. Once primed, the tubing or specialized cassette is carefully loaded into the pump mechanism, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure it is seated snugly and correctly so the pump can accurately control the flow rate.
Programming the Infusion Rate
Accurately programming the required parameters into the device interface is the core of safe infusion pump use. After powering on the pump, the user typically navigates a menu to select the prescribed drug and concentration, often utilizing a built-in drug library. The two fundamental parameters that must be entered are the infusion rate (mL/hr) and the Volume To Be Infused (VTBI), which is the total amount of fluid scheduled for delivery.
If the prescription calls for 100 mL of medication over one hour, the rate is set to 100 mL/hr, and the VTBI is 100 mL. Many modern pumps automatically calculate the infusion duration once these values are entered. A mandatory double-check procedure must be performed, comparing the programmed settings on the pump screen directly against the healthcare provider order. Only after verifying that the rate and VTBI are correct should the ‘Start’ button be pressed.
Monitoring the Infusion and Addressing Alarms
During an active infusion, continuous monitoring is necessary to ensure proper operation and patient safety. The pump’s display should be checked periodically to confirm the medication is infusing at the programmed rate. Infusion pumps trigger audible and visual alerts when an issue arises that could compromise therapy.
A common alert is an occlusion alarm, signaling a blockage either upstream (at the medication bag) or downstream (at the patient’s access site). The first troubleshooting step is to check the entire length of the tubing for kinks, closed clamps, or the patient lying on the line. An air-in-line alarm requires the user to clamp the line, gently remove the air bubble, and then resume the infusion. Low battery alarms require connecting the pump to a power source immediately to prevent therapy interruption. If an alarm cannot be resolved quickly through these basic checks, stop the infusion and contact the healthcare provider immediately.
Critical Safety Measures for Home Use
Several overarching safety practices must be maintained in the home environment. All medications and infusion equipment, including the pump itself, must be stored securely out of the reach of children and pets to prevent accidental exposure or damage. Specific medication storage instructions, such as refrigeration requirements, should be strictly followed to maintain drug stability and efficacy.
Preventing infection at the patient’s access site requires adherence to prescribed cleaning and dressing change protocols. Any signs of localized infection, such as increasing redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge at the catheter site, must be reported to the healthcare provider without delay. Maintaining accurate records of infusion start times, stop times, and any encountered issues provides valuable data for the healthcare team to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan.