What is a syringe pump?

It is a small portable battery operated pump. It gives medicines over a 24-hour period.

A syringe – connected to the pump – is filled with medicine that has been prescribed to help symptoms. The medicine will be reviewed on a regular basis and may be changed if necessary.

We are using BD BodyGuard T or an upgraded T34 syringe pump. They have slightly different signage but the function is the same.

The pump will be locked during medication delivery to prevent the buttons from being accidentally pushed. The pump will also be placed in a locked plastic case to protect the medication syringe from being displaced.

Please ask if you have any questions about the treatment.

How will the syringe pump be connected?

A thin tube (cannula) is connected to the syringe, with a tiny needle at the other end. The needle is inserted just under the skin, usually in the upper chest or arm. The cannula is held in place by a small clear dressing. This also helps keep it clean, dry and in place.

It can usually stay in place for up to six days. If it gets sore, it can be changed sooner.

Why is a syringe pump needed?

It’s a simpler and more comfortable way of giving medicines to control symptoms and will reduce the number of injections needed.

There are a number of reasons a syringe pump is used. A syringe pump may be needed if:

• it is difficult to swallow medicines – if someone has been on regular analgesia for pain relief and becomes unable to swallow, it’s important to think ahead and contact the nurse or doctor to assess them
• the person feels sick or vomits frequently, meaning medication is not in the stomach long enough to have an effect
• symptoms need better control.

The most common symptoms a syringe pump is used for are pain, nausea and vomiting, agitation and respiratory secretions. It’s important to remember that medication is only one way of managing these symptoms. Syringe pumps can also be used to manage seizures when someone is approaching the end of their life.

The reason for using a syringe pump will be explained and discussed. It may be used at any stage of illness and can be stopped if it’s no longer needed.

It is the nursing team’s responsibility to make sure that arrangements are in place for the continued supply of medication and equipment. It is also their responsibility to make sure that supplies of medication are reordered in for seamless care.

Your care home will have syringe driver medication delivered by your designated pharmacy. If the delivery service is not available, you will need to arrange collection.

Who will look after the syringe pump?

The nurses visiting the care home will check the syringe pump regularly to make sure it is working, that the cannula is comfortable and there are no problems with the medicines. They will change the syringe and the battery in the pump.

Our visits to the home will usually require the administration of medicines. This can be a complex process and we may ask for a few quiet minutes so we can concentrate on getting the medication ready.

You can support care by observing the patient regularly, monitoring the pump’s actions and responding to the alarms.

What do we need to look out for?

Inform us if symptoms persist once the syringe pump is set up or changed as the medication may need to be changed. The person must be comfortable, both at rest and when delivering personal care. Let us know if they are in any distress.

If you notice any of the following, please contact us:

• the colour of the medicines in the tubing or syringe has changed
• there is cloudiness or sediment (residue) in the tubing or syringe
• the skin around the cannula is red, swollen or painful
• the cannula becomes dislodged
• the alarm on the pump sounds. If this happens, please do not attempt to remove the syringe or press any buttons on the pump.

Sometimes the medicine in the syringe can cause a skin reaction. We will check the cannula site regularly. If the area becomes sore, the cannula will be replaced and moved to another part of the body.

Syringe pumps are quite strong but they can be damaged if they are dropped or crushed. A syringe pump must not get wet. Ask us for advice about washing or showering. Please contact us if the pump is damaged or gets wet so we can send it for servicing.

Keep the syringe contents out of direct sunlight and do not allow them to get hot. Avoid placing the pump next to a heat pad, hot water bottle or electric blanket. Ask us for advice about where to keep the syringe pump. When moving around or transferring someone, for example from a bed to a chair, the syringe pump can be placed in a cotton bag provided by us.

How will we know the syringe pump is working?

If the syringe pump is working a green light above the on/off button will flash regularly.

If the pump has stopped for any reason, the light will turn red or may not be on at all. If this happens please contact us.

What do the alarms and alerts mean?

Please contact us in the event of any alarms.

What happens when someone dies?

The syringe pump must be left as it is, if the nurse is not authorised to verify death.

Nurses authorised to verify death may stop the syringe pump and remove it. The infusion set and syringe should be removed by the nurse and disposed of in a sharps bin. The needle site will be covered with a dry dressing if necessary. Any administered medication will be fully documented. If there is any medication remaining, the volume discarded will be documented by the nurse.