Tim Ritter, a senior project engineer at ECRI, explains that while pumps look the same and may operate similarly, some have the set-based mechanisms while others do not. Patricia Kienle, R.Ph., M.P.A., F.A.S.H.P., medication safety manager at Houston-based Owen Healthcare, a pharmacy management company, also finds having a variety of pumps in one organization to be problematic. She emphasizes that when purchasing pumps, the materials management staff should involve the nursing and education staffs in the process. Petition the FDA to withhold or withdraw approval of intravenous pumps that permit free-flow. Petition manufacturers to stop production and sale of free-flow pumps.
Experts also emphasize that training and education are important.
However, Ritter cautions that even if training is done faithfully, a patient, family member or visitor may still handle a pump incorrectly. Kienle says there usually is in-service education on the pumps for nurses but not for others that may handle the pumps such as orderlies, radiology technicians and nurse assistants who transport patients. She says these caregivers should be aware of steps to take if alarms go off or a patient shows signs of distress. Patricia Kienle, R.Ph., M.P.A., F.A.S.H.P. Owen Healthcare, Houston Please route this issue to appropriate staff in your health care organization. This issue may only be reproduced in its entirety and credited to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.