syringe pumps (also known as actuated syringes) are used to manage symptoms such as pain, nausea and vomiting, seizure agitation, and respiratory secretions. They are continuously provided with medication under the skin to help manage symptoms in a comfortable way.  

What is a syringe pump?

syringe pump is a small battery-powered water pump that delivers a drug subcutaneously (under the skin) at a constant rate over a period of 24 hours.

use a syringe pump

there are several reasons why syringe pumps are used to give medicine to patients:

• they're nauseous and vomiting.
• their oral medication (e.g., tablets) for dysphagia.
• their symptoms may not be managed well with oral medications.
• in order to avoid having frequent access to injected drugs.
• drugs they are unlikely to absorb are effective through their intestines.

syringe pumps are often used in the past few weeks and days of life, but they may be useful for managing symptoms at any stage of the disease. For example, someone may have chemotherapy that has been treated with antiemetics (anti-disease drugs) in a syringe pump to cause nausea and vomiting.

drug syringe pumps

drugs are most often used to treat pain, nausea, vomiting, agitation, secretions, and seizures. Drug syringe pumps can be adjusted to meet the patient's needs.

These drugs are usually treated with a syringe pump for the following symptoms

• morphine, diacetylmorphine, oxycodone, fentanyl. .
• – This drug, secelizine, levomepromazine.
• –midazolam, haloperidol, levomepromazine
• –hyoscine butylbromide,hyoscine bromide,glycopyrrolate.
• –midazolam, levetiracetam, dexamethasone. .

syringe pump set up

syringe pumps will usually be prescribed by a specialist nurse or GP general practitioner and set up by a regional nurse. Syringe pump palliative care is programmed to deliver medication over 24 hours so a new injection of medication will be set up once a day at the same time each day.

soft plastic cannula or butterfly needle is usually placed on the upper arm, leg, or abdomen.

sometimes the patient will have more than one syringe pump. This may be because they are taking a lot of medications. It may also be because certain medicines cannot be mixed together safely. In these cases, patients will have more than one syringe pump so that they can get all their medications safely.

if the patient is able to ambulate, they can carry the syringe pump with them in a special bag.

syringe pumps are often placed in a clear plastic, locked box (called a lock box). This protects the pump from being damaged or knocking on the door. There is also a keypad lock on the pump itself, which means that the settings cannot be changed by accident.

the faster the patient dies, the faster the patient dies with a syringe pump?

use of a syringe pump does not cause the patient to die sooner. However, some patients, friends, and family members may be concerned about this.

it is important to discuss why syringe pumps are considered relevant to patients and those who care for them. Listen to their concerns and reassure them that syringe pumps are a safe and effective way to manage their symptoms. Patients should be involved in decision-making with a syringe pump.

you can assure them that painkillers and other medicines are safe and effective when properly prescribed and given correctly.

often syringe driver settings are at a time when the patient is rapidly deteriorating and a syringe pump is the best option to manage their symptoms. Some people believe that syringe pumps are responsible for the deterioration, but this is not the case. Syringe pumps can also be used for a shorter period of time while the patient needs a specific medicine.

supports a patient syringe pump

you can also provide information to your patients and their family or friends. syringe drivers for the public . It includes an animation that explains what they are used for and how they work.

what should I do if the injection pumping station is working?

nurse who sets up the syringe pump will visit daily to review the patient's symptoms and set up a new injection of the drug. They will also change the tube. In the meantime, there are certain things that you can do:

• check the surrounding area for intubation – skin irritation, redness, or discomfort that may be signs of infection, or irritation of medications.
• keep the surrounding area clean and dry, and check for leaks.
• check the line to make sure it doesn't twist, get stuck, or get caught. For example, according to a part of the body.
• check for white particles along the tube (which means the drug has crystals).
• place the syringe pump in a safe and comfortable position. Slightly tucked under a pillow can be a good place.
• if the patient is able to ambulate, they may find it helpful to have a syringe driver package to keep it safe and in a comfortable position.
• avoid getting wet by the syringe pump. If the patient wants to shower or bathe, it is recommended that they speak to their area nurse for advice.
• immediately report if the pump is wet or removed. The district nurse who came into contact with the patient.
• do not position the pump in the sun or anywhere it can get too hot, as this may affect the syringe inside the medicine.

what to do if the syringe pumping station is working

if the alarm goes, it may mean that the syringe pump has stopped working. A message may also appear on the pump's screen display.

don't panic if this doesn't happen – the medication will continue to work for a while. But call the patient's area nurse a straight distance so that they can come and check it and give you advice on what to do before they arrive. If you can't reach the area, the nurse calls the patient's GP.

alert may mean that the battery needs to be replaced, or that their medication is about to be ended. Patients will have a supply of a new battery and therefore can help them to replace it.