EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management The Biggest Threat to Patient Safety

Totally agree.
I think the problem is the manufacturers are in a race to do everything the rivals do and then to add a USP (Unique selling point). Over time these add up to complex machines.

We purchased some small syringe drivers to replace the MS26s. They were configured to accept the syringe then all the clinical staff had to do was press confirm three times, the last being start, everything else was automatic including setting the rate.
The easiest to use piece of equipment I have seen and the clinical staff loved it and had no problem using it

Robert

If customers didn't keep on "demanding the best" ... and if hospitals didn't insist on buying "state of the art" ... then perhaps we would see a lot more elegant, minimal, and truly functional designs!

No doubt all the knobs and whistles were regarded as "essential features" by the breathless gushing idiots as they ticked all the boxes on the "feedback" (market research) sheet (whilst, and at the same time, merrily twitching away at their Smart-Phone with their other hand). That's probably just about the amount of thought they gave it. The "goodies bag" from the Rep probably helped as well.

But never mind ... the manufacturer calls the shots. And the taxpayer foots the bill.

It's easy to blame the kit (as we all know, it's been that way for many years, and I doubt it will change any time soon). But (in theory at least), patients are cared for by nurses, not equipment. Unfortunately, however, it seems that these days everyone is conditioned to the idea that the new (latest, most expensive) stuff must be the best! And if it has one of the designer labels emblazoned across it (regardless of where it was actually manufactured) then WOW ... we must have it! Let's just say that the idea of "appropriate technology" is not an easy sell.

George has exhorted us all to be a bit more assertive. OK, how about this:- when you encounter a new bit of kit that you consider to be a crap design ... toss it in the bin (and show the Rep the door)!

Why not name that syringe driver, Robert!

You know ... into the Hall of Fame (it's just an empty corridor at the moment).

I think that "empty corridor" has been used as an overflow from the Hall of Shame!

Ha, ha. Yes ... I've come across places like that at almost every hospital I've wandered about in.

They are often found at the back of Theatre "suites".

CME McKinley T34

The latest in the saga of the T34's. When using a 50ml syringe we are witnessing that the pump says it has delivered 34mls but on the syringe barrel there is still 2mls to go. An under infusion of 2mls. Any one else out there experiencing this and if yes, any advice?

DD

Have you go the right manufacturer set up for the 50ml syringe.
A problem like this can be caused by the pump thinking the end stop is in a different place.
Robert

Have you checked the flow on an IDA or into a measuring cylinder.

The syringe didn't go into occlusion did it? That's the most common problem with reading what's delivered. Where a Graseby MS16A would just stop the McKinley reverses slightly. Confuses the hell out of nurses if they've recorded the volume infused just before occlution and checks it again after occlution.