NHS staff should follow the NHS Borders Infection Control manual regarding standard precautions, aseptic techniques, hand decontamination and the disposal of sharps and waste.
Step 1: Pre-set-up
- Explain the use of the syringe pump and medications to the patient and family and gain consent.
- Verify the patient’s details with the prescription and documentation
- Check the compatibility of the prescribed medication(s) and diluents
- Check the BodyGuard T is intact, with no parts damaged or missing and has been serviced within the last year
Step 2: Prepare the syringe and infusion line
Draw up the prescribed medication(s) and compatible diluent in the syringe as per prescription and NHS Borders Code of Practice for the Control of Medicines (2013). Syringes should be made up immediately prior to administration. The medications listed within the Lothian and Borders Palliative Care Guidelines compatibility tables are stable for 24hours.
Invert the syringe gently several times to mix the solution thoroughly. Observe for cloudiness, discoloration or precipitation. Discard if this occurs and seek advice. Expel any air from the syringe.
Fully complete the additive label which must include:
- Patient’s name CHI number or date of birth
- Drug contents and dose
- Diluting agent
- Date and time of preparation
- Name and Signature(s) of nurse(s)
Ensure that the label does not obscure visual inspection of the syringe for monitoring purposes or interfere with the mechanism of the device i.e. contact with the barrel clamp arm.
Aseptically connect the syringe to the infusion set/cannula and manually prime the line.
Device Features
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Only designated staff with the authority and relevant access codes can change pump default settings and configuration via the pump and/or BodyComm communications software. Access code protected areas are available in the pump, though no code is required to turn the pump on and run an infusion. The pump can be configured for adult or paediatric use, for specific drug delivery route and for any of three modes of operation depending on the drugs being delivered. Safety features include secure user access codes, lockbox, keypad lock, alarms, pre-set maximum rate limit and administration set, colour-coding (optional).
The mode of operation your pump is configured to is Lock On: the pump will deliver the syringe volume confirmed, over the fixed (locked) duration. Once a syringe is detected and confirmed, the pump calculates the ml/hr Infusion rate:
Syringe volume
= ml/hour infusion rate
Fixed duration
The pump calculating the hourly infusion rate prevents programming errors and makes setting up an infusion very simple as the user is not required to enter data/numerals during infusion set up/programming, however the user must check, change and/or confirming information and programming screens. This includes checking that the programme summary screen (showing duration, syringe volume and the calculated rate) matches the prescription before starting the infusion.
Start up Sequence : Prime and Load or Load and Prime ?
The start up sequence will be dependent on the administration set priming volume being used:
if a prime load is used then the remaining contents of the syringe post priming will finish earlier that the default duration
The decision for
Step 3
Check the pump to ensure that the device is clean, visually intact and appropriate for the intended use
Step 4
Check the battery and placement.
Always use a 9 volt alkaline battery. Battery supplied By BGH is an Energiser Industrial. Although Duracell is recommended in FSN the batteries are manufactured to the same dimensional specification so Energiser Battery is Okay to use. There is some variation in size between different brands of batteries.
Please Never try to force a battery into the battery compartment as this may damage the battery contacts.
To insert the battery into the pump:
Push the battery into the compartment taking care to ensure that the battery + / - contacts are aligned on the label inside the compartment.
Remember the BGT syringe pump requires annual maintenance and calibration and needs to be returned to Medical Electronics Department when requested
Before loading the syringe check the battery power. If the battery is less than 40%-50% (In patient areas), choose a new battery: and then press YES/START to confirm.
a) press the INFO key to display the info menu inert pic
In the community, discard the battery if less than 50% remains to ensure the infusion will continue for 24 hours.
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Press and hold down the (ON/OFF) KEY.
The pump’s identity and palliative care 24 hour appear on the LCD display screen, followed by PRE-LOADING during which the actuator will start to move.
Whilst the actuator is moving, the self-test screen above is briefly displayed. This shows the pumps configuration. During pre-loading the actuator always returns to the position of the last infusion programmed. Wait until the actuator stops moving and load syringe appears.
Use the Forward /back keys (see below) to move the actuator to the position required for loading the syringe.
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It is important to correctly position the actuator at this point to enable the syringe to be loaded correctly later.
For safety reasons, the forward movement of the actuator is limited to short steps: thus repeated depressions of the FF key may be required to move the actuator forward. Backwards movement is not restricted. The barrel clamp has to be down for actuator movement.
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Use the FF/BACK keys to move the actuator into the correct position).
Load and confirm the correct syringe
Ensure the syringe is not connected to the patient at this point. The pump should recognize the brand and size of syringe.
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Uncontrolled flow of medication may occur if the syringe is not correctly or securely fitted to the syringe pump.
Correct placement reduces the start up time when a new infusion is started.
To avoid inadvertent administration of a bolus dose the syringe must be attached to the pump before being connected to the patient.
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