IV Pumps - What They Are, How They Work, & How to Use Them

IV pumps, also known as infusion pumps, are an essential piece of infusion equipment. They’re used in many hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings around the world, and in this guide, we’ll go over what IV pumps are used for, how they work, and how to set up an IV pump.

What Is an IV Pump Used For?

An IV pump or infusion pump is a medical device which is used to deliver fluids, medications, or nutrient solutions into a patient’s body. They are typically used intravenously, hence the “IV” part of the name, but infusion pumps can also be used in subcutaneous, epidural, or arterial ways, and they may be used to deliver a wide range of fluids and substances into the body.

Infusion pumps are popular devices among medical professionals due to their versatility and precision. They can be configured to administer fluids in ways that would be difficult or even impossible otherwise. For example, a single IV pump can be used to administer a set amount of fluid into a patient’s body every hour, and trying to do this manually would be costly, time-consuming, tough on staff, and ultimately, unreliable.

IV pumps therefore help to save hospitals and clinics a lot of time, money, and resources, while also ensuring that patients get the fluids they need. In addition, these pumps come in a range of forms, from insulin pumps that deliver insulin to diabetic patients, to syringe pumps that are specially designed to work with syringes of various sizes.

How Do IV Pumps Work?

Generally speaking, an IV pump or infusion pump will need to be connected to a container of IV fluids, like an IV bag, along with the necessary IV tubing that leads into the patient’s body. The pump works by using electrical power, usually from an outlet, but sometimes from a battery, in order to draw fluid from the IV bag along the tube and into the patient’s body. It can do this at very precise rates, and it can be programmed to deliver fluids at different speeds and in different quantities.

It’s also important to note that there are multiple types of IV pumps. Each one is different and will have its own unique way of working. Most standard IV or infusion pumps will be quite similar in their mode of functioning, but others may be more unique. For example, an ambulatory infusion pump is much smaller than most standard IV pumps and is designed to be carried around attached to the patient’s body, allowing them to receive the fluids or medicines they need while carrying out everyday activities.

What Are the Main Types of IV Pumps?

As stated above, there are multiple types of IV pumps. Each one is different, with its own unique features and applications. Here are some brief descriptions of some of the most commonly used forms of IV pumps:

Gravity Pump – A gravity pump is one that is used for gravity infusion, in which the force of gravity helps fluid to flow from the IV bag and along the tube.
Syringe Pump – In a syringe IV pump, fluid is held inside a syringe chamber, and a piston helps to control the delivery from the syringe into the IV tubing. This is usually used when only small amounts of fluid need to be infused.
Elastomeric Pump – Elastomeric pumps feature balloon reservoirs that hold the fluid to generate positive pressure, pushing the fluid out and into the patient’s body over time.
Peristaltic Pump – A peristaltic pump operates via the process of peristalsis, which involves two rollers that pinch along the sides of a length of tubing to push the fluid along.
Multi-Channel – Multi-channel infusion pumps have multiple reservoirs to deliver different fluids via just one pump.
Smart Pump – A smart pump is one that can be programmed with different settings and configurations to work with various drugs, as well as being able to issue alerts and more.
Patient-Controlled Pump – This kind of pump is usually used for pain relieving medication and features a button that the patient can use to infuse more medicine into their body.
Enteral Pump – An enteral pump is one that is used for the process of enteral nutrition, which is the delivery of nutrients into the stomach of a patient who can’t ingest food normally.
Insulin Pump – Insulin pumps are used in the treatment of patients with diabetes or other issues affecting their blood sugar levels. They infuse insulin into the bloodstream to help control sugar levels.
Ambulatory Infusion Pump – An ambulatory infusion pump is one that is small and portable. It can be carried around by the patient to provide them with medicine throughout the day.

How to Set and Use an IV Pump

Now that we know about the basic functionality of IV pumps and some of the different types of infusion pumps you might encounter in a hospital or clinic, let’s take a closer look at how to set up and use an IV pump in a healthcare environment in a simple, step-by-step way.

Step 1. Check the IV Bag

The first step of setting up and using an IV pump actually doesn’t involve the pump at all. Instead, the first thing you need to focus on is your IV bag. Bags are all different, but they tend to follow the same basic design and format, with similar labeling and structures. First, check on the type of IV bag you have to make sure the fluid and amount are correct, verify the expiration date and check that the bag is intact, without any pollution or contamination inside.

Step 2. Prepare the IV Bag

Next, the IV bag needs to be connected to the tube and spiked, or primed. This is the process of making sure that there are no air bubbles within the bag. To do this, hold the bag upside down and connect the tubing into the appropriate port. Make sure that the tubing is locked before turning the bag upside down to ensure that the fluid doesn’t simply flow all the way through. After that, you can squeeze on the chamber to prime it. Make sure to wear sterile gloves during this process to minimize the risk of any contamination in the bag.

Step 3. Suspend the Bag and Connect to the Pump

Next, the IV bag should be suspended from an IV stand. You can then continue the priming process and check that there are no bubbles at any point along the IV tubing, before connecting it to the infusion pump. Again, every pump is different, but most of them have similar designs and should work in the same way. You should be able to open a side compartment of the infusion pump and then slot the soft, stretchy part of the tubing into this area. The cassette should snap into position at the base, and you can then shut the door and proceed to the next step.

Step 4. Switch the Pump on

You can now switch the IV pump on. Most pumps will have a clear and easy to see power button on the front panel. Once the infusion pump is powered up, you can connect the end of the IV tubing to the patient, via a cannula or IV port, and you can then focus on setting up the infusion pump via the menu on the main display.

Step 5. Configure the Pump

Once they are switched on, infusion pumps will usually ask if you’re connecting to a new patient. You can press the appropriate button for “Yes” or “No”, depending on the situation. In most cases, you’ll need to press the Yes button at this stage. After that, the pump will ask to confirm your department. Depending on where you’re setting the pump up, there may be various options to choose from here.

Step 6. Enter Patient ID Number

On the next screen, the infusion pump will ask you to enter some information about the patient. It may be labelled something like “Patient ID Entry”, and you can use the buttons to enter the patient ID number.

Step 7. Choose Channel

After that, you’ll have to pick a channel. Some pumps may have multiple channels, so you’ll need to select the appropriate one that you’ve prepared with tubing in the previous steps. Again, you can use the buttons on and around the infusion pump display to select a channel and confirm it.

Step 8. Configure the Infusion Rate and Volume

This next step is an important one, as it involves setting up the specific type, rate, and volume to be infused, or VTBI. The infusion pump may ask you to select an infusion type, to begin with. It should offer you the choice between an appropriate selection of drugs for the department you have selected in the previous steps. Once you choose the right drug or fluid, you’ll be asked to specify the desired rate in ml/hour, as well as the VTBI in ml. The IV bag can be used as a reference point for the desired VTBI, and it’s important to enter a little less than the maximum capacity of the bag so that the IV pump doesn’t run dry.

Step 9. Start the Infusion and Verify

Once the correct information has been entered in the infusion pump, you can press the start button to begin the procedure. If you have not yet done so, you can connect the tubing to the patient at this point and fill in an IV sticker with the necessary information about when the IV pump started. You can also visually check the tubing to ensure that fluid is dripping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Purpose of an IV Pump?

The main purpose of an IV pump is to deliver fluids into a patient’s body in precise amounts and at a controlled rate. They can be used for nutrients, medications, pain relief, and more.

What Is a Smart IV Pump?

A smart IV pump is one that has advanced technology and is capable of being programmed in various ways to deliver different kinds of drugs or fluid in the appropriate amounts, according to preset parameters.

Why Do IV Pumps Beep?

There are various reasons an IV pump may beep. It might beep if the line is being blocked or pinched, or if air is detected inside.

How Do I Stop My IV Pump from Beeping?

Some IV pumps will come with some kind of mute or silence button you can push to deactivate the beeping or alarm noise.

What Does VTBI Mean on an IV Pump?

VTBI stands for volume to be infused. This refers to the amount of fluid that the pump will infuse before stopping.

Do IV Pumps Prevent Air Bubbles?

Not necessarily, but they do help to make the infusion process safer and can minimize the risk of air bubbles or issue alerts if air is detected.

When Were IV Pumps Invented?

The first ever infusion device was invented back in 1658, but more modern-style pumps came about in the 19th century.

Who Invented the IV Pump?

It was the English architect, Sir Christopher Wren, who created the first primitive form of infusion pump.

Infusion Pump Vs. IV Pump

Infusion pump and IV pump are interchangeable terms that are commonly used to refer to the same sorts of devices.

IV Pump Vs. IV Drip

An IV drip is a form of IV therapy that may or may not involve the use of an IV pump. It involves dripping fluids very slowly into an IV tube that feeds into the patient’s body.

IV Pump Vs. Syringe Driver

Syringe drivers are infusion supplies that are used for continuous subcutaneous infusion. They’re able to deliver fluids at a set rate for long periods of time, and they’re simply a type of IV pump.