How to set up an IV Infusion Pump: Things to Remember

IV infusion therapy is an important tool in the healthcare provider's tool kit. An IV infusion pump is one of the needed tools and the benefits it brings to patients is inestimable. It is necessary to know how to set up an IV infusion pump.

There are important principles to remember for IV infusion pump set up.

IV Infusion Pump Set Up Principles

First, note the IV fluid bag:

Although designs are slightly different, IV fluid bags have similar labelling and physical structure.

Fluid Bag

• Type of IV fluid
• Expiration date of fluid
• Port for injection
• Port for spike insertion

It is important the fluid bag is intact and that there is no pollution in the fluid (the fluid is cloudy or has particular matter within).

Procedures

After your bedside introductions with the patient, be sure to check his or her chart and then

• Note fluid, fluid volume, and time to administered
• Check for patient allergies
• Get patient consent
• (Do not use bag if it is polluted)
• Remove fluid bag packing
• Hang on drip stand
• Open giving set and close flow control (use the rollerball clamp)
• Twist and break port cover off of the bag
• Insert spike into the port (do not touch the tip)
• Squeeze and then release the rollerball clamp for fluid release through the giving set
• Check to make sure there are no bubble present
• Clamp the rollerball
• Clean your hand and put on apron and gloves
• Clean hub of the connector with a cleaning wipe and flush cannula with saline
• Connect giving set to the bioconnector
• Set the infusion rate via rollerball adjustment

Alaris IV Infusion Pump Success

According to Becker's Hospital Review, a four-hospital system in central Pennsylvania implemented the Alaris System smart infusion pumps. The June 10, 2015, article says that the Alaris System offers "two-way interoperability with the hospitals' EHR and are designed to help reduce the risk of harmful and expensive IV medication programming errors at patient bedside."

Reducing hospital errors is good for hospitals, reduction of errors helps efficiency and profitability, and patients. Especially when you hear that the estimated average hospital stay cost for one day is $4,293 as of 2013. It is sure to have risen for both the patient and the hospital now six years later.

Alaris IV infusion pumps can add to hospital accuracy, efficiency and profitability. If you need instruction you can refer to our training videos on the Alaris System on Med One Group’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com