Nurses' Risk Without Using Smart Pumps

Abstract

Intravenous smart pump devices hold specific medications in electronic libraries. These libraries contain predetermined volumes with corresponding administration rate limits. Smart pumps prevent nurses from engaging in calculations under high-pressure situations and ensure that only therapies available to the nurse are administered to patients. When this technology is available and not utilized, litigation could be successful in finding fault on the nurse. Therefore, nurses should use the available smart pump technology every time when administering intravenous therapy.

The Art of Remediation in Professional Emergency Nursing Practice

“…The health care organization is responsible for ensuring that it hires and retains competent employees. If nurses fail to practice according to the education provided or act outside of the standard of care, they place themselves at risk of litigation for negligence or malpractice (Harding, Connolly, & Wilkerson, 2011). Health care regulators and other stakeholders also require specific education such as blood-borne pathogens, restraints, fire safety, and cultural competence (Harding, 2011;TJC, 2010;U.S.…”

Impact of Implementing Smart Infusion Pumps in an Intensive Care Unit in Mexico: A Pre-Post Cost Analysis Based on Intravenous Solutions Consumption

“…Smart infusion pumps have shown a positive impact on the safety of patients, the reduction of IV medication errors, the creation of safer work environments for nurses, and the optimization of capital returns, quality control, and the continuous improvement of the processes. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Furthermore, the use of smart pump technology has shown to be profitable in the intensive care unit (ICU) because it avoids costs from prevented medication errors and allows for savings on disposables and medications by establishing standardized concentrations and dosing units. 8,9,11,[14][15][16] Currently, Mexico lacks an evidence-based health technology assessment strategy at the national level that could provide a solid foundation for decision making for the introduction and utilization of health technologies at the hospital level.…”

Implementing Smart Pumps to Enhance Patient Safety

“…By utilizing smart pumps, safer care for patients may be provided. 2,3 Smart pumps do not eliminate errors; however, they reduce programming mistakes. 4 Features of smart pumps may include drug libraries, profiles of care areas, and soft and hard limits.…”

“…Technology plays a large part in the medication process. 2 There have been numerous technological advances in the process of medication administration such as intravenous (IV) smart pumps. One process that hospitals and organizations may consider reviewing for improvement is implementation and/or optimization of IV smart pump technology.…”