We too are looking to standardise on IV devices and, next month have invited a few manufacturers to give a presentation and an open exhibition to let all the hospital staff have their input.
We have lots of the Graseby 3x00 pumps but I'm always puzzled why they don't have field engineers. We also have 30 or so of the "new" Braun Perfusor FM syringe pumps. I have to be honest and say that we have had lots of problems with "lock-ups" on these which the manufacturer puts down to a bad batch of PCB's. Happily, for the last 2 months we have had a lot less problems.
The question I'd really like answering is "How do you stop pumps from hitting the floor?"

[This message has been edited by Paul Blackett (edited 19 September 2000).]

The easiest solution is fitted carpet - with VERY thick underlay !

Hot air baloons attached to each pump. (use you own imagination where the hot air comes from)

or

All hospitals to be built in outer space...But not on Venus, Jupiter or Saturn!!

Hey, I WORK for Graseby and even I'm puzzled why they don't have field engineers. Having said that, our product support team will visit if you have a particular issue that needs a tete-a-tete
All points noted about down time of returns. It's a known problem and I'm assured it's being worked on.
We have a pretty good loan pool if you get desperate - ask your rep!



[This message has been edited by Muttley (edited 26 September 2000).]

Paul - that leaves Uranus, plus one or two other options!

We have been running the Graseby 3*** range for about 5 years. But if your looking for something new, try the Alaris Asena.

Has anyone compared the new Alaris (Asena) and Graseby (Omnifuse) yet?
What do people think?

Our first impression of the Asena was very positive. It has a very nice display and the pole mounting option is a very good idea. We weren't so impressed when we took it apart, though. The screws for the two halves of the case are self-tappers screwed into plastic bosses - no inserts ! They are fine the first few times you take them out and screw them back, but then the plastic loses it's grip, it's very easy to strip the thread completely and one of the plastic bosses split, so didn't grip the screw at all.

We also had the mechanism which grips the syringe plunger fail. Again it's all plastic inside the slide head and one of the plastic couplers had split allowing the shaft to rotate without the coupler turning.

Unless you run it very slowly, it's surprisingly noisy for a belt-driven mechanism - much worse than the P3000.

Very usefull info.

Roy,
Can't really comment on the Asena in any depth (as a newly qualified Technician), however we had a training day with Barbara Cox on the pump and I was really impressed. Well presented and all that, hope its one of many training days.

Huw