We'll looking at infusion pumps for new purchase. We're evaluating Carefusion/Alaris modular system, B. Braun Infusomat Space, Baxter SIGMA Spectrum, and Hospira Symbiq pumps. Any of you using these currently and have some positive or negative comments?
We did eval Sigma and Hospira Sigma. We are next looking at Alaris. Both came out pretty close to equal by the staff nurse's rating. However the Sigma was liked for it's size and the ease of programming. The staff also liked the fact that the tubing was a straight tubing without cassette and could be used universally throughout the orgainzation.... no specialty tubings except for blood transfusion.
Jose Delp RN BSN VA-BC
My facility recently switched to the SIGMA Spectrum and the staff love it. It is small, lightweight,vvery easy to program and the drug library is very user friendly. As with any new product there is a slight learning curve; however, our implementation and go-live went off without a hitch. Baxter had an excellent team to assist with the process. There is no cartridge to deal with, the tubing is straight forward. Glad we made the switch.
Michelle Archer RN
Clinical Resource Nurse
The Alaris system is VERY prone to "air-in-line" alarms. No matter what technique you use to prime the tubing,sometimes the air alarm won't go away until you change the entire tubing set,even if there's not even the tiniest air bubble ANYWHERE in the whole line. I have wasted thousands of dollars worth of medications and wasted hundreds of hours dealing with what I feel is a design flaw in their tubing/pump combination. I have had more than a few "double taps" during programming,i.e. enter a rate of 100 ml/hr but it reads it as 1000. We are working on changing equipment--I can't wait to see them go. The Baxter systems I have used in the past never caused near as many headaches nor wasted resources.
We are having nothing but problems with the Alaris also. Air in line ALL the time with no AIR in sight!
We very recently instituted the Hospira Symbiq pump in our facility and it has been wonderful so far. Not only was the company great to work with, they were able to assist with every issue we have had question with so far. These pumps are easy to use and the staff have had little to no problems with them. They are certainly fitting our needs and the transition over was seamless! Good Luck!
smahoney
Great initial post as we are in the beginning stages of this process as well.
We are looking at:
Hospira Symbiq
Alaris (Care fusion)
Baxter Sigma
Braun Space
Certainly user satisfaction is one component and if anyone has any comments regarding these devices it would be great to hear. Also, barcoding capability, tubing requirement, library updates, etc. are a consideration as well.
We recently finished an extensive evaluation of infusion pumps and chose the BBraun. One of the main reasons was the wifi component. We now have the ability to update our med library and send it to all the pumps simultaneously. We do not have to take them to the pharmacy or have them updated in small groups. It is very efficient. I also can highly recommend BBraun for their support with implementation. While other companies said they would be onside for a few days and then available, BBraun was on site for several weeks. Their implementation staff is amazing from the clinical instructors to their technical advisors. Another key was cost (of course). BBraun will not charge us for upgrades in their software for the next 5 years or more. Every other company said they would charge tens of thousands for yearly upgrades.
We just finished evaluation ofhospira, Baxter and Alaris. The results are being reviewed now. I felt strongly that we needed to go to smaller pumps with simple tubings as our experience, has been tubing cost and inventroies are out of control as well as the glitches in cassette tubings. (Filling and air inline issues, cassette failures etc). Drug libraries and wifi capability to change libraries was actually good in all three. We thought Hospira had the best software but.... who are you paying to evaluate all the reports that it generates? I realy hate to see big bulky pumps taking up so much space in the patient rooms and not get a whole lot more bang for the buk there. I saw lots of tecfhnology and lots of cost with the same end point for the basic caregiver. Small, med safety software, simple tubing fill and managemnt....that is what we want.
Jose Delp RN BSN VA-BC
I would suggest to those evaluating pumps, be sure to search for product issues and FDA recall notices . . . just so you are fully informed of issues (common operator errors, pump malfunctions, recalls, etc.). I have included a notice on each of the four pumps mentioned, so as to not bias anyone. All of these recalls/issues were in 2012. I do not work for any infusion pump manufacturer.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm314096.htm
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm316827.htm
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm326080.htm
http://www.aiv-inc.com/iv-pump-news/fda-recalls-sigma-infusion-pumps.html