Nurses' risk without using smart pumps

JONAS Healthc Law Ethics Regul. 2011 Jan-Mar;13(1):17-20. doi: 10.1097/NHL.0b013e31820e0eb5.

Abstract

Intravenous smart pump devices hold specific medications in electronic libraries. These libraries contain predetermined volumes with corresponding administration rate limits. Smart pumps prevent nurses from engaging in calculations under high-pressure situations and ensure that only therapies available to the nurse are administered to patients. When this technology is available and not utilized, litigation could be successful in finding fault on the nurse. Therefore, nurses should use the available smart pump technology every time when administering intravenous therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted / nursing*
  • Humans
  • Infusion Pumps*
  • Liability, Legal
  • Malpractice / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Mathematics
  • Medication Errors / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Medication Errors / prevention & control*
  • Nursing Care / standards*
  • Organizational Culture
  • Risk
  • Risk Management