Infusion pumps can be complicated business and it is important to consistently remind yourself how to use the equipment for the benefit of the patient and yourself.

That is why the Infusion Pump Working Group created the Infusion Pump resource page on the Regional PolicyNet site. This is a new online resource that provides quick reference guides as well as training videos for eight infusion pumps used across the organization, including the CADD Solis used for epidurals.”

“It provides clinicians, who use infusion pumps, with all of the resources they need to know how to use them safely,” says Michael McAuley, the clinical quality and patient safety director in Richmond. “It provides them with a one-stop shop for all of the training videos, quick reference guides and operating manuals for each pump they might use in their clinical practice.”

“It makes sure staff is up-to-date with the pumps and know how to use them correctly – it just gives nurses a refresh and makes sure they’re maintaining their standards of practice,” says Karen Mayo, a clinical nurse educator in the intensive care unit at Lions Gate Hospital. “It helps reduce errors that can happen – you can very easily hit the wrong button. It’s about patient safety.”

What do you think?

Since it was launched a week ago, the Infusion Pump Working Group have been receiving feedback from site users, tweaking it accordingly. (You can post feedback below in the comments section.)

“We want to know what works and what doesn’t,” he says. “We want feedback from staff.”

Part of accreditation

As part of the new accreditation requirements, staff is required to complete a competency assessment (which checks the user’s ability to use the device) every 2 years or after they’ve been on an extended leave greater than a year.

“Simply download the competency checklists located on the regional PolicyNet site and CCRS, take them back to your unit and complete the assessment,” Michael explains. “Once completed don’t forget to sign onto CCRS to check off that you’ve done the assessment. CCRS will track competency checks and let staff know when they are due for their next education update.”

Accreditation Canada

Accreditation Canada requires organizations to have evidence-informed practices in place for infusion pumps to enhance patient safety and minimize risk. This means that VCH must have a “documented and coordinated approach for infusion pump safety that includes training, evaluation of competence, and a process to report problems with infusion pumps.”

Currently, all clinicians who use infusion pumps across VCH acute and community receive basic training during regional orientation.  In addition, clinicians are required to complete the following as part of the initial unit orientation:

• Identify what pumps are used on your unit;
• Review available pump resources/training materials for each pump;
• Download and complete a peer-to-peer competency assessment;
• Sign on to CCRS, search for the corresponding pump and sign off that you reviewed the applicable resources and completed the competency checklist.