EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management Aquarius and Asena Anaesthetic Pumps

Hi we are looking to trial the Aquarius and Asena anaeshetic pumps does anyone have any comments on them. Cheers.

We have now had the asena pumps for about two years, in that time they have been extremerly reliable, the only problem being that the users were not handling them correctly {using the transportation assy as a handle}.
perfomance checking of these pumps is also easy and quick to carry out, (comprehensive test kit avalilable £800}.
Highly recommended

Thanks for the feed back, has anyone trialed the Aquarius pump?

Our trust purchased several of the Alaris PK Anaesthetic syringe drivers.

One criticism I would mention is that from a passing glance they look identical to the GH CC etc series (colour in particular), and they can be used in error. The "PK" label is behind where the syringe is placed in use.

Although when they are turned on the opening screen prompts you to use it in TIVA mode, alarm bells should be ringing in the users ears !! BUT it can be used in normal ml/hr mode, only it does not have the same alarm setup as the GH etc (such as no KVO).

We were informed by Alaris that they were planning on changing the switch membrane colours so they could be a difference could be noted, but a different colour to the other Asena pumps would be useful.

Other than that they are very good.

Hope this helps

Are you confusing the TIVA and the PK Jeff? If not then there have been a few changes since you purchased your syringe drivers. The PK labels are now located on the RH switch membrane, so there's no excuse for failing to recognise them really, plus the anaesthetist would probably notice the TCI select option menu that shows up initially on the PK (the PK has TIVA and TCI capability).

The PK has no in-line pressure sensing transducer on the LH side of it unlike the ASENA CC. The NEOI is at 10% of syringe volume or 5mins to EOI and the EOI at 0.5% of syringe volume. KVO would be somewhat redundant on TIVA/TCI devices I think - the problem with inappropriate selection is really if someone in the general ward areas tries to use it I suppose.

Mr Ling,

I agree, there should be no mistaking the two. We had some confusion between an Asena GH and a PK, and the PK was used as a normal syringe driver.

The problem we have (which we are told by Alaris will be resolved with a free upagrade) are when the pumps are turned off and have a syringe in, or are viewed from a distance, they are appear identical (case colour etc) We suggested a different colour case like yellow is used for Epidural.

Users SHOULD notice the difference at least when they are tunred on though !!!

Yeah, I think the "PK" label should be the giveaway.