BD Alaris - Preparing Syringe and Administration Set (Syringe Module)

Getting started
BD Alaris
TM
System with Guardrails
TM
Suite MX User Manual 71
Preparing Syringe and Administration Set (Syringe Module)
To decrease potential start-up delays, delivery inaccuracies, and delayed generation of occlusion alarms
each time a new syringe is loaded:
• Use smallest syringe siz
e possible (for example, if infusing 2.3 m
L of fluid, use a 3 mL syringe).
• Use compatible components which ha
ve the smallest internal volume or “deadspace.” For example:
• Tubing internal diameter: Smallbore o
r microbore tubing is recommended when infusing at low
rates.
• Tubing length: Tubing length should be minimized, when possible.
• Filters: Internal volume (deadspace) of in-line filters should be minimiz
ed.
•
Connection sites: The number of connection sites such as stopcocks and y
-sites should be limited,
and high risk or life-sustaining solutions should be connected as close to the vascular access site as
possible.
WARNING
• Raising a syringe pump may result in a bolus of medication or fluid due to changes in
hydrostatic pressure. Lowering a syringe pump while infusing may result in a delay in
the infusion (or possible under-infusion) due to the changes in hydrostatic pressure.
• Ensure syringe sizes and models are compatible with the syringe module. Use of
incompatible syringes can cause improper pump operation resulting in inaccurate
fluid delivery, insufficient occlusion (blockage) sensing, and other potential problems.
• Use the smallest compatible syringe size necessary to deliver the fluid or medication;
this is especially important when infusing high risk or life-sustaining medications at
low infusion rates (for example, < 5 mL/h, and especially flow rates < 0.5 mL/h). Using a
larger syringe when infusing at low rates can lead to inadequate syringe pump
performance including delivery inaccuracies, delay of therapy, and delayed generation
of occlusion alarms. This is due to the increased friction and compliance of the syringe
stopper with larger syringes.
• Electronically prime the syringe pump system before starting an infusion or after
replacing a near-empty syringe with a replacement syringe.
• Failure to use the PRIME SET WITH SYRINGE feature after every syringe change can
significantly delay the infusion delivery start-up time and lead to delivery inaccuracies.