Has anyone out there got anything (good or bad) to say with regard to the service / repair / use of the following pumps:

Codan/Argus 600/707/414
Baxter FloGard GSP
Alaris Signature Gold
Graseby Onmnifuse(inc PCA)/Cadd Legacy
Arcomed VP7000/SP6000
Medex 3500E
McKinley Bodyguard

Your comments will be much appreciated.

As Medical Physics International are the sole agents for Codan UK to provide technical support for the Argus/Codan infusion devices we would be able to sort out any problem which you should happen upon. Please email me directly if you require assistance.

Have a look at the mhra website - lots of Evaluations on infusion devices.
We evaluated infusion devices in 2002 and chose from a clinical and technical point of view, the Alaris Gold. We've had some in use for 18 months or so with very few problems.
Be careful that you do not pay the list price!

If you want to download the evaluation reports you will need to logon to MHRA's NHSNet site

nww.medical-devices.nhs.uk

The standard www website doesn't give you access to these.

I've read most of the evaluation material on the MHRA site. I'm looking for information & experience of the use/misuse of these pumps in the real world.

I'm sure that BIME don't subject equipment to the same 'tests' as nursing staff.

NOTE: I use the term 'tests' in inverted commas as I'm sure that there would be some debate as to the definition of 'test' and whether washing a pump in a toilet and dropping it down three flights of stairs to dry it is a valid test.

If you want the ins and outs why not try calling Teresa Dunn who manages the Pump Evaulation Centre at Bath. She has proved to be a good source of information to me in the past. You should find her contact details on the back of one of the evaluation reports.

We are looking introducing, belatedly, anti-syphonage valves and we awere looking for advice on how we introduce them. We have a fair selection of models from late 80's to modern units. Units that have user interfaceable adjustment and some that really have to have technical assistance i.e. workshop time. The units that have to have workshop time were set below the manufacturer's occlusion force in order to give a more rapid response to onset of occlusion at low flow rates. The occlusion alarm will also give an earlier warning in the event of extravasation thus preventing damage to the patient i.e. tissue necrosis and amputation. In order to accommodate the resistance and crack open pressure of the valve we feel that this will compromise patient safety.

Any advice would very much be appreciated.

I hope you got to read my posting before it dissapeared ! It took me ages to type in

What's going on Huw ? It's just not good enough you know

What happened Roy?

Did a posting go missing? When did you post?

You didn't hit 'preview' instead of 'add reply' did you?

I've been out visiting our satelite hospitals today and I didn't see anything.

The argus 600 are okay so far as accuracy is concerned. the biggest problem is that the syringed clamp can easily be broken and quite tedious to replace.
Be careful with the Baxter FloGard.It will still work with infusion set going backwards-from patient to bottle!