Typically, infusion pumps are operated by trained users who program the rate and duration of infusion through a built-in software interface. Infusion pumps offer significant advantages over manual infusion, including the ability to deliver fluids in very small volumes and at precisely programmed rates or automatic intervals. They can deliver nutrients or drugs, such as insulin or other hormones, antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and pain relievers.

There are several types of infusion pumps, including high-volume, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), elastomer, syringe, enteral, and insulin pumps. Some are designed primarily for stationary use at the patient's bedside. Other pumps, known as flow infusion pumps, are designed to be portable or wearable.

Because infusion pumps are often used to manage critical fluids, including high-risk medications, pump failure can have a significant impact on patient safety. Many infusion pumps are equipped with safety features such as alarms or other operator alerts designed to activate when a problem occurs .

For example, some pumps are designed to alert the user when air or other blockages are detected in the tubing that delivers fluid to the patient. Some newer infusion pumps, commonly referred to as smart pumps, are designed to alert users when there is a risk of adverse drug interactions or when the user sets the pump's parameters outside of specified safety limits.

Significant safety issues associated with infusion pumps have drawn a lot of attention over the past few years. These issues can affect the safe use of external infusion pumps and lead to over- or under-infusion, missed or delayed treatment.

From 2005 to 2009, there were approximately 56,000 reports of adverse events related to the use of infusion pumps, including many injuries and deaths. During this time, the manufacturer recalled 87 infusion pumps to address identified safety concerns.

Seventy of these recalls were designated as Class II, which applies to situations where the use of the recalled device may result in temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or a low probability of serious adverse health consequences. The 14 recalls are Category I, where there is a reasonable likelihood that use of the recalled device will result in serious adverse health consequences or death. These adverse event reports and device recalls were not isolated to a specific manufacturer, type of infusion pump, or environment of use; rather, they occurred across the board.