Syringe pumps (also called driven syringes) are used to manage symptoms such as pain, nausea and vomiting, agitation in seizures and respiratory secretions. They continuously deliver medication under the skin to help manage symptoms in a comfortable manner.  

What is a syringe pump?

A syringe pump is a small battery-operated water pump that delivers medication subcutaneously (under the skin) at a constant rate over a 24-hour period.

Use a syringe pump

There are several reasons why a syringe pump is used to administer medicine to a patient:

• They were already nauseated and vomited.
• They have difficulty swallowing oral medicines (eg, tablets).
• Their symptoms could not be managed well with oral medication.
• To avoid having to get injections of medication frequently.
• Drugs they are unlikely to absorb effectively pass through their intestines.

Syringe pumps are often used during the past few weeks and days of life, but they may be useful in managing symptoms of any stage of the disease. For example, someone may have antiemetics (disease-fighting drugs) administered in a syringe pump to induce nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy.

Drug Syringe Pump

Medications using a syringe pump are most often used to treat pain, nausea, vomiting, agitation, secretions and seizures. The medication infusion pump can be adjusted to meet the patient's needs.

These drugs are usually used with a syringe pump and are used for the following symptoms:

• Morphine, diacetylmorphine, oxycodone, fentanyl.
• – This drug, cyclizine, levomepromazine.
• – Midazolam, haloperidol, levomepromazine.
• –hyoscine butylbromide, hyoscine bromide, glycopyrronium.
• – Midazolam, Levetiracetam, Dexamethasone.

Syringe pump set up

Syringe pumps will usually be prescribed by a dedicated nurse or GP and set up by an area nurse. Syringe pumps for palliative care are programmed to deliver medicines over 24 hours, so a new injection of medicines will be set up once a day at the same time each day.

A soft plastic cannula or butterfly needle is usually placed on the upper arm, leg, or abdomen.

Sometimes a patient will have more than one syringe pump. This may be because they are taking a lot of medication. It may also be safe because certain medicines cannot be mixed together. In these cases, patients will have more than one syringe pump so that they can get all their medicines safely.

If the patient is able to move around, they can carry the syringe pump with them in a special bag.

Syringe pumps tend to come in a clear plastic, locked box (called a lockbox). This protects the pump from being damaged or knocked on. There's also a keypad lock on the pump itself, meaning settings can't be changed accidentally.

Will the patient die faster with a syringe pump?

Using a syringe pump does not cause the patient to die any faster. However, some patients, friends and family members may be concerned about this.

It is important to discuss why syringe pumps are considered relevant to patients and those who care for them. Hear their concerns and reassure them that a syringe pump is a safe and effective way to manage their symptoms. Patients should be involved in making a syringe pump.

You can assure them that pain relievers and other medicines are safe and effective when prescribed properly and correctly.

Often a syringe driver is set up at a time when the patient is rapidly deteriorating and a syringe pump is the best option to manage their symptoms. Some people believe that the syringe pump is responsible for the deterioration, but this is not the case. Syringe pumps can also be used for a shorter period of time while the patient requires a specific medication.

Supports a patient syringe pump

You can also provide information to your patients and their family or friends. Syringe drivers for the public . It includes an animation explaining what they are used for and how they work.

What should I do if the syringe pump station is working?

The nurse who sets up the syringe pump will visit daily to review the patient's symptoms and set up a new injection of the medication. They will also change the tube. In the meantime, there are certain things you can do:

• Check the area around the cannula – skin irritation, redness or discomfort may be signs of infection, or irritating medicines.
• Keep the surrounding area clean and dry, and check for leaks.
• Check the line to make sure it is not twisted, trapped, or caught. For example, according to the part of the body.
• Check for white particles along the tube (this means the drug has crystallized).
• place the syringe pump in a safe and comfortable position. Tucked a little under a pillow can be a great place.
• If the patient is able to move around, they may find it helpful to have a syringe driver pack to keep it safe and in a comfortable position.
• Avoid getting wet from the syringe pump. If the patient wants a shower or bath, it is recommended that they speak to their district nurse.
• Report immediately if the pump gets wet or is removed. The district nurse who has contacted the patient.
• Do not place the pump in the sun or anywhere that gets too hot, as this may affect the medicine inside the syringe.

What to do if the syringe pump station is working

If the alarm goes, it probably means that the syringe pump has stopped working. A message may also appear on the pump's screen display.

If this doesn't happen, don't panic - the medication will continue to work for a while. But call the patient's district nurse a straight line distance so they can come to check it and give you advice on what to do before they arrive. If you cannot reach the area the nurse calls the patient's GP.

An alert could mean that the battery needs to be replaced, or that their medication is about to end. Patients will have a supply of new batteries so they can help replace it.