Low speed micro-infusion pump
Abstract:
Background: Since a micro-infusion pump continuously pumps drugs at a low speed, it has the risk of complications including venous blood return, indwelling needle blockage, and the lack of regular delivery of drugs. This study aimed to investigate venous blood return and indwelling needle blockage after cardiac surgery when a micro-infusion pump was used at a very low flow rate of only 2 ml/h without any accompanying fluid.
Methods: A total of 215 patients, who were hospitalized at the Second Hospital of Shandong University between May and December 2020, received a continuous intravenous administration of drugs via a micro-infusion pump at 2 ml/h without or with accompanying fluid. These patients were randomly divided into an observation group (108 patients) and a control group (107 patients). In the observation group, drugs were administered at 2 ml/h without any additional fluid. In contrast, the control group received drugs also at 2 ml/h but with a normal saline through an intravenous drip. The venous backflow, blockage of the indwelling needle and catheter, and other adverse reactions were evaluated In addition, the volume of an accompanying fluid as well as the mean of nursing work time and additional costs were calculated.
Results: The main finding of this analysis showed no statistically significant differences in the number of complications such as venous backflow, blockage of the indwelling needle or catheter, or any adverse reactions between the observational and control groups (P > 0.05). Compared to the control group, the observation group had significantly reduced the amount of fluid intake (P < 0.001). In addition, the 2 ml/h infusion tempo without any additional fluid shortened nursing hours (P < 0.001), and thus reduced costs for the observation group vs. the control group.
Conclusions: It is feasible and safe to administer drugs via a micro-infusion pump at the slow 2 ml/h tempo without any accompanying fluid to patients after surgery requiring minimal volume of fluids.
Reference:
Meng H, Chen F, He LH, Wan JH. The effects of using a micro-infusion pump without accompanying fluid at a low flow rate on patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Transpl Immunol. 2022 Apr 29:101611. doi: 10.1016/j.trim.2022.101611. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35500846.