How to Choose an Ambulatory Infusion Pump
If you are a primary oncology clinician looking to select the infusion pump that fits your needs, but you are not sure where to start, you’re in the right place.
The Basics
What is an ambulatory infusion pump? What types exist? What should you look for when buying one? We’ll answer these questions and more below so you can feel confident when treating your patients.
What Is an Ambulatory Infusion Pump?
An infusion pump is a medical device made to deliver fluids into a patient’s body in a controlled manner. An ambulatory infusion pump is designed to allow patients to move freely and go about their daily lives. They serve as a practical alternative to the pole-mounted pumps used in a hospital setting.
Types of Ambulatory Pumps
Ambulatory infusion pumps are not one-size-fits-all devices. Depending on the therapy your patient is receiving, some pumps may be better suited for the purpose than others. Multiple types exist, and they generally fall into one of two categories:
These are infusion pumps built to operate within a specific infusion rate range, allowing them to administer only therapies that fall within that range. This serves as a safety measure preventing accidental over-infusion. WalkMed’s 350VL infusion pump, for example, was specifically designed to deliver continuous chemotherapy, such as continuous 5-FU, for treatment of colon-related and other cancers. Often these pumps are smaller, lighter, and quieter to operate than complex multi-therapy pumps, making them preferable to use whenever possible. They’re also built to handle lower infusion rates that might be outside the scope of multi-therapy pumps.
These ambulatory infusion pumps are designed to switch from one modality to another to deliver a variety of therapies. These can include antibiotic therapies, patient-controlled analgesic (PCA) therapies for pain, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and more. Although these pumps are versatile, they can’t cover every therapy that exists. Due to safety and technical limitations, the pumps that are made to accommodate for high infusion rates can not cover very low infusion rates at the same time.
These are infusion pumps built to operate within a specific infusion rate range, allowing them to administer only therapies that fall within that range. This serves as a safety measure preventing accidental over-infusion. WalkMed’s 350VL infusion pump, for example, was specifically designed to deliver continuous chemotherapy, such as continuous 5-FU, for treatment of colon-related and other cancers. Often these pumps are smaller, lighter, and quieter to operate than complex multi-therapy pumps, making them preferable to use whenever possible. They’re also built to handle lower infusion rates that might be outside the scope of multi-therapy pumps.
What to Consider When Choosing an Ambulatory Pump
There are many factors that come into play when deciding on the right ambulatory infusion pump. Here are some guidelines you can use to make an informed decision.
Longevity
Ease of Use
How easy is it to program the pump? Are the bags easy to fill and the administration sets easy to install? These are important questions to think about when selecting an infusion pump.
Size and Weight
Battery Life
Noise Level
Some infusion pumps may not seem loud at first, but consider the patient when they take the pump home and place it on their nightstand while they sleep. A noisy pump can be a serious issue for a sensitive patient.
