Infusion Pump 101

YOUR ONE STOP GUIDE TO INFUSION EQUIPMENT

 

One of Right Way Medical’s strengths is staying up to date in the ever-evolving world of infusion healthcare, and we understand that may be a challenge to consumers outside the industry, so we put together an infusion pump directory to assist with making the right decision when purchasing, leasing, or renting a pump.

AMBULATORY PUMP

Ambulatory Pumps deliver medicine into the body and are handheld sized for convenient carrying or wearing by the patient. Compared to a pole mounted or stationary pump, an ambulatory pump grants the patient mobility.

 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.

CADD-Solis-VIP

ELASTOMERIC PUMP

Elastomeric pumps are single use pumps that deliver medicine to the patient without the use of electricity by using a pressurized output system.

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.

B Braun Elastomeric pump

ENTERAL PUMP

Enteral pumps are used for transporting liquid nutrients and medication straight into a patient’s digestive tract when they suffer abnormal ingestion or digestion.

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.

Kangaroo Joey Enteral Infusion Pump

POLE MOUNTED PUMP

Pole mounted pumps, again, are exactly what the name implies. These pumps are larger and heavier than the handheld ambulatory pump, so they have been designed with clasping features to mount onto an IV pole to grant patients with more convenient mobility.

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.

Zyno Z-800F Pole Mounted Infusion Pump

SYRINGE PUMP

Syringe pumps are used to administer medications in low doses to a patient. A syringe that has been prefilled with medication is placed into the pump, and mechanics within the device push the medication through the syringe and into tubing, which delivers the drugs to the patient’s body.

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.

Freedom 60 Syringe Pump

Right Way Medical works hard to provide a broad range of infusion pumps to cater to the unique healthcare needs of our customers. If you don’t see a particular pump on our site, get in touch with our team today to discuss a custom order for a product of your choosing.

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