Syringe Pumps

Equipment: Syringe IV tube Syringe pump

>a syringe driver or syringe pump is a small infusion pump (some include infuse and withdraw capability), used to gradually administer small amounts of fluid (with or without medication) to a patient or for use in chemical and biomedical research.

The medication is put into a syringe which is connected to the patient via specialised IV tubing. The pump is then programmed by a clinician, usually the patients nurse, to deliver the medication and fluids. Syringe drivers are often used when only small amounts of medications or fluids are required.

1. The nurse should check compatibility charts. 2. The nurse must first attach the syringe to the pump before connecting to the patient to avoid an inadvertent bolus dose. 3. Ensure the patient and carers know that the syringe pump MUST NOT be placed at a level higher than the infusion site. It is possible for the contents to siphon out. 4. Check the volume remaining in the syringe and document the volume infused to assess whether pump is delivering medication at approximately the desired rate. 5. Explain care of the pump to carers e.g. avoid spillage of liquids or dropping the pump and to report if light stops flashing or if an alarm should sound.