We have a ticklish problem regarding the Graseby 3200. Our nursing staff wish to introduce an anti-syphonage valve into the line as was recommended several years ago. Under normal operating conditions the iv runs fine until they wish to give a bolus. Bolus rate is 200ml/hr. When this is initiated an occlusion alarm sounds. The answer would be to increase the mechanical setting in the pump but that means pulling several hundred of these units throughout the hospital and carrying out the adjustment, a long and laboreous task. The downside to this adjustment would be higher occlusion pressure leading to a longer time to occlusion alarm particularly at low flow rates, increase in bolus size, increase risk to patient from extravasation damage.
It will be a compromise reduce the risk from free flow increase the risk of tissue damage etc.
These pumps incidentally are used in general ward areas, ITU, CCU, HDU but not in neonatal areeas.
Any answers?
