5 Best Tips for Infusion Pump Maintenance

Infusion pumps may not be the largest piece of medical equipment at your clinic, but they serve one of the most important purposes. These medical devices carefully deliver fluids to a patient’s body when they’re needed the most. From nutrients to essential types of medication, infusion pumps can deliver the fluids patients need for treatment and recovery.

As you can know, medication pumps are an important investment for your practice. You want to ensure that they last and work properly for the years to come. Read on to learn more about the purpose of pump infusions and the best tips for infusion pump maintenance.

What is an Infusion Pump?

Before understanding how to maintain this medical device, it’s important to cover the basics of infusion pumps. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration emphasizes that the purpose of these pumps is to deliver a controlled amount of fluids to a patient’s body.

This could be anything from a small amount of powerful pain reliever after surgery or a large volume of chemotherapy drugs during a treatment session. They are helpful tools that ensure fluids are being delivered safely and effectively on schedule.

It’s important to note that some infusion pumps are designed to be portable while others must remain stationary at a patient’s bedside. The former are called ambulatory infusion pumps and are convenient for fluid delivery on the go.

There are other types of infusion pumps designed for specialized purposes. These include patient-controlled pumps and insulin pumps, just to name a few.

5 Infusion Pump Maintenance Tips

Smart pumps are incredibly beneficial for healthcare professionals. Studies show that smart infusion pumps decrease errors like incorrect rate and dose while also freeing up medical staff. However, you can only reap these benefits when your infuser pumps are working properly.

Here are some expert infusion pump maintenance tips you should know about to keep your equipment working efficiently.

Follow Manufacturer Guidelines

Your infusion pump came with important manufacturer’s instructions that can help you understand how to maintain and service your device. These instructions also likely offer guidance on cleaning, calibration, and tips for maintenance that are specific to your model.

These guidelines will help you understand what is needed for preventative maintenance so you can prolong your device’s lifespan.

Conduct Regular Inspections

Sometimes, it may not be obvious that your infusion pump needs maintenance. That’s why it’s important to be proactive about checking for any signs of wear or damage. Some common signs could be cracks, loose parts, or leaks. You may also notice wear and tear on the power cords.

Be vigilant about battery life and any error codes as well. Addressing these issues quickly is key to ensuring patient safety.

Clean Your Smart Pump Carefully

The infusion pump should always be cleaned and disinfected between patients. It should also be deep cleaned regularly using the recommended cleaning agents and steps outlined by the manufacturer. It’s best to avoid abrasive chemicals and pay extra attention to areas around the keypad and display where debris can accumulate.

Calibrate Every Pump

Smart pumps must be calibrated regularly to ensure they are accurately delivering fluids. Many manufacturers outline this process. Periodic accuracy tests using a calibrated syringe pump ensure your device is functioning well.

eep Detailed Maintenance Records

As you go through these preventative maintenance steps (or if your pump needs to be fixed professionally) make sure to write it down. These detailed records help keep track of maintenance history and empower your team to identify any patterns in problems and perfect their troubleshooting.

Consider Certified Refurbished Infusion Devices

With these infusion pump maintenance tips in mind, you’re on your way to prolonging the life of your essential medical device.

When it comes time to purchase infusion pumps for your practice or hospital, consider certified refurbished models. At ExamTablesDirect every certified refurbished item has been reviewed by biomedical engineers, mechanical engineers, and a cosmetic team. This ensures a like-new product every time that has been reconditioned and tested to meet the manufacturer's original specifications.

Here are a handful of refurbished infusion devices we recommend:

Certified Refurbished Baxter 6301 Infusion Pump

The Baxter 6301 has the capability of delivering a wide range of fluids at various infusion rates. It contains two linear peristaltic pump heads along with independent programming for each pump, so it can simultaneously infuse two patients at once.

Certified Refurbished Baxter 6201 Infusion Pump

This Single Channel Volumetric Infusion Pump is an electromechanical pump used for the intravenous infusion of liquids at user-selected rates. It contains a linear peristaltic pump head which is programmable and permits the infusion of primary and secondary medication programs.

Certified Refurbished B. Braun Vista Basic Infusion Pump

This is a volumetric infusion pump intended to provide an accurate and continuous flow of parenteral and enteral fluids. It’s regarded as a workhorse in the outpatient market for its rugged and reliable design and ability to support all relevant therapies.

Learn more about our certified refurbished medical equipment today.