The most successful smart infusion pumps incorporate patient and therapy data into their design, and have built-in interface tools that enable hospitals to tailor how information is passed to and from the system. This helps ensure precise charge capture, reduces nurses’ documentation time and potential for transcription errors, and enables a more efficient flow of data to the EHR.

Infusion errors from improperly configured infusion bags or tubing lines, workflow mistakes, and unplanned interruptions in therapy can cause serious adverse events, debilitating injury, and even death. Fortunately, next-generation smart infusion pumps prevent these errors and enhance nurses’ efficiency.

Innovative Medical Infusion IV Pump: The Future of Infusion Therapy

Unlike older infusion pumps, the Innovative Medical Infusion IV Pump can detect the type of administration set being used (e.g., filter-clogging or non-filter) and prevent the programming of a fluid that could clog the pump’s filters and obstruct delivery of life-saving medication. This helps protect the health of patients and their hospital’s financial bottom line.

Smart pumps with drug libraries and dose error reduction software (DERS) significantly reduce infusion errors. In one study, 13 errors involving heparin were prevented – the top smart infusion pump error that can lead to inappropriate dosing of patients [1]. Despite these successes, the implementation and maintenance of smart infusion systems is challenging for many healthcare organizations. A strong partnership with a vendor who can provide ongoing technical support and clinical training will be critical to ensure successful and sustainable use of the technology over time.