A syringe pump is a re-usable, battery powered medical device. Attached to this device will be a syringe containing medication that has been prescribed for you over a continuous period of 24 hours.
Please contact or return this re-usable syringe pump to your health professional, for example doctor, nurse or district nurse when no longer required.
Connected to the syringe will be a thin tube which will have a small thin needle on one end. The nurse will place the needle under your skin.
This needle will be changed at regular intervals. If the needle site becomes swollen, red or uncomfortable please tell your qualified health professional.
To:
• Control pain.
• Ease shortness of breath.
• Control sickness.
• Ease secretions in the throat.
• Ease restlessness.
There may be other medication prescribed specifically for you depending on your individual needs. If you have any questions about your syringe pump, please ask your health professional.
Your medicines:
• Have been prescribed for you and should not be given to anyone else.
The medicines should be kept:
• In a cool dry place away from direct heat or direct light.
• Stored in a safe place, out of the reach of children and pets.
• Must be stored as per manufacturer’s recommendations (which are included in the information supplied with your medicines).
• It is not necessary to keep the medicines in the fridge.
• Ask your health professional if you are unsure.
Avoid:
• Spillage of liquids on the syringe pump.
• Dropping the syringe pump.
• Exposure to direct sunlight or heat.
• The use of mobile phones beside the syringe pump.
Troubleshooting
Contact your health professional at the earliest opportunity:
• If the alarm sounds whilst in use.
• If the needle site is swollen, red or painful.
• If liquid leaks where the needle goes into the skin
Some do's
- When you are in bed or resting on a chair, place the pump on a flat surface.
- When you are mobilising carry the pump using a bag so you don't accidently drop it.
- Tell the nurse if the contents of the syringe turn cloudy
- Seek advice for bathing and showering from your health professional
Some don'ts
- Expose the pump to heat or direct sunlight
- Get the syringe pump or needle site wet.
