Med One Blog

For all kinds of healthcare facilities, IV infusion pumps are a patient essential. In fact, according to the Materiel Services department at the University of Michigan Health Systems, 86% of all patients admitted to hospital beds require infusion pumps. Syringe pumps and smart pumps are used in both medical centers and by patients in their own homes. But to keep these infusion systems working properly and keep patient health from being compromised, specific care and cleaning instructions must be followed. The following are some of those instructions.

By Ibby Smith Stofer

In times of declining admissions, patients becoming consumers, insurance companies dictating what services they will cover, increased competition, aging physical facilities, and minimal margins; the hospital market still faces additional challenges. The economic climate and monetary policies continue to cause healthcare providers to ask themselves, “Is now the time to act?” Should we accelerate acquisition or the replacement of medical equipment? And if so, what is the best finance option?

When a medical professional needs to regulate the amount and rate of fluids given through an IV, there are two ways to accomplish this task. While the manual method has been in use for a longer period of time, the electric pump method has become the preferred technique since being introduced to the market in the 1960s. But even though hospitals and healthcare facilities use infusion pumps on a daily basis, not every staff member will be familiar with some of the terminology that pertains to this equipment. We've explained some of the most important terms in today's helpful glossary post.

If someone has a disease where they can't eat, can't take her medication properly, or needs medication to go directly into the bloodstream, they will often turn to infusion therapy. It's perfect for somebody with cancer, Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis, or other internal illnesses that need to be treated using an intravenous medication.

For many hospitals, there is one overarching question: how can we be efficient while still providing the best care for our patients? Fortunately, there are countless ways for hospitals to improve efficiency. In fact, some hospitals are already practicing alternatives to do just that. If you're ready to learn some ways to be more effective, keep reading.

Infusion pumps are one of the most productive ways to get medication and fluids into a person’s body. In fact, IV therapy is considered the fastest way to deliver any kind of fluid or medication to the body, yielding a bioavailability absorption of 100%. The introduction of smart pumps and the Alaris IV pump, in particular, has made the process a lot more efficient and error-free. The software included with new pumps is one reason the Alaris IV pump can make things even more efficient and safer at hospitals.

Healthcare facilities are tasked with keeping track of all kinds of medical equipment. Hospital personnel must stay on top of inventory, assess whether equipment must be repaired, and ensure the cost of equipment stays within the confines of the operating budget. Being able to ensure that equipment is both accessible and affordable is a constant balancing act, but it's a necessary one to ensure the facility can continue to operate and that patients are able to receive the highest quality of care. With emerging technologies and healthcare reform impacting costs and quality, this is no easy feat. But if you're struggling with managing your medical equipment and its associated costs, the following tips may help.

Infusion pumps have been used since the late 1960s, most Americans associate this medical equipment with a hospital stay, but infusion systems are used in other healthcare applications as well. Oral surgeons and dentists may use syringe infusion pumps during certain procedures that require sedation. While sedatives can be administered in other ways, like through inhalation or oral dispensation, intravenous sedation does have some clear advantages.

The average hospital will own or rent over 35,000 SKUs of equipment at any one time. Hospital equipment ranges in size, cost, availability, and functionality, but the one thing in common is - all equipment needs to work correctly 100% of the time. Because of this, many healthcare facilities are choosing to rent their hospital equipment, such as infusion systems and syringe pumps. It ensures that they always have the right equipment on hand.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities rely on IV infusion pumps to dispense fluids, such as medications or nutrients, to improve patient health. Your facility likely relies on the two classes of infusion pumps -- large volume pumps for nutrients and small volume pumps for medicines or hormones -- to assist you in patient treatment. But while smart infusion pumps can reduce errors in healthcare settings, they need to be utilized properly to produce these results. Ultimately, errors can and will occur for a variety of reasons. We've outlined some of the most prevalent causes of IV errors below and how the correct usage of Alaris Smart Pumps and other infusion pump technology can lower these risks.