Infusion Pump 101

 It’s important to remember that every pump across every manufacturer has its own series of uses, regulations and rules. Within the family of ambulatory pumps, be sure to select a pump that accommodates your specific infusion rate needs.

To operate one, medicine is funneled into the fill port of an elastomeric balloon, and flow restrictors in the pump’s tubing control the infusion rate as pressure forces the medication along.

Because elastomeric pumps do not rely on electricity to power the device and regulate the flow rate, patients and healthcare providers must exercise caution when administering medication to ensure that the flow continues at the proper rate. This entirely pressurized process can be affected by gravity depending on where the pump is worn on the body; patients should be sure to follow instructions specific to their treatment to ensure the proper flow rate of medicine into their body.

Elastomeric pumps can also be affected by external temperature changes. If a pump experiences too much heat, the medication inside will heat up causing the infusion rate to increase. Alternatively, if the pump is subjected to temperatures lower than intended, the flow rate of the medication will slow down.

Right Way Medical offers elastomeric pumps from three different manufacturers to ensure that patients can obtain the care that is right for them. Visit our online store to view the Smart EZ Pump by Progressive Medical, the Homepump Eclipse by Avanos and the Braun Easy Pump by B. Braun.

Tubing from the pump can be inserted into the patient’s nasal passage, stomach or small intestine. Nasal tubing can be inserted through the nasal passage and down the esophagus to reach the stomach, while stomach and small intestine tubing must be inserted surgically.

The enteral pump controls the rate at which liquid nutrients are released into the patient’s body based on their specific treatment. Patients who self-administer have the ability to set their pump on a cyclic cycle, which signals the pump to administer the fluid over an eight-hour span of time during the night, allowing patients more freedom from their pump during the day.

The enteral pumps on Right Way Medical’s website have been carefully selected to cover the broadest range of infusion needs. From the Covidien Kangaroo pumps, MOOG Infinity pumps and the Medline Entraflow pump, consumers have a variety to choose from to meet their healthcare needs.

Pole mounted pumps are usually reserved for in-patient care within medical facilities. These pumps typically have multiple infusion therapy uses, so the same pole mounted pump can deliver a variety of infusion types. For example, the Zyno Z-800F pole mounted pump, which can be located on our website, is suitable for continuous rate infusions, timed infusions and volumetric infusions.

Some syringe pumps are spring-loaded and require no charge, while others function on a battery-powered schedule. A patient or healthcare provider is responsible for changing the syringe and starting a new flow of medication. Most syringe pumps are small enough to be worn in a pouch on the patient’s body, so they are free to undergo infusion therapy while going about their everyday life.

The types of medications administered by syringe pumps vary, but the most common treatments include pain and nausea relief; patients who undergo chemotherapy may use a syringe pump with anti-nausea medication to help relieve them of their symptoms.