Many healthcare facilities understand the importance of maintaining equipment and following an ethical care plan. Patient outcomes are at risk without performing routine maintenance on infusion pumps and other devices. Here, we discuss some of the most practical tips for caring for infusion devices and ways to prevent downtime.
It’s vital to follow all manufacturers’ guidance for cleaning pump parts. These protocols are in place to protect both providers and patients. Each device is on continuous-use cycles. It must receive an adequate and thorough inspection and sanitization. Additionally, taking the pump apart can help highlight device malfunctions or parts discrepancies to allow for a quicker response time for dysfunction.
Checking Battery Life and Replacements
Commonly, a device will malfunction or throw an error code, and clinical staff may assume the worst. While the issue presented is catastrophic, the problem can typically indicate a battery issue. Batteries are critical to the function of a device but are often overlooked. Ensure staff receive training for checking battery performance and replacement processes to rule this out in the event of mechanical irregularities.
Complete Repairs in a Timely Manner
If the battery is not the issue and there is a clear indication of a repair or service need, ensure these items are of high priority and performed promptly. When device parts or mechanisms sit in dysfunction for too long, other areas of the device may compensate, or the patient’s care could be in jeopardy. To rule out both factors, perform repairs and routine maintenance on infusion pumps immediately upon identifying the problem.
Ensure the Software is up to date
Another common reason for device malfunction is out-of-date software. When devices don’t receive the latest updates, their performance is not optimal for new needs. Updates and software changes fix any bugs or kinks within the computer mechanisms, which are vital to device performance. Without performing updates to the software, care providers put patients at risk.
