News Release

ISMP Second Newsletter Special Edition Focuses on Infusion Pump Extension Sets to Conserve PPE

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) has issued its second special edition of the ISMP Medication Safety Alert!® acute care newsletter, which explores the use of extension sets to position infusion pumps outside COVID-19 patients’ rooms. Some hospitals are adopting this practice to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) and reduce the frequency of exposures that nurses would ordinarily experience by going into rooms to manage infusions.

The cover article provides a summary of two different hospitals’ experiences and a list of issues to consider when deciding whether to keep infusion pumps outside the room. The second special edition also includes insight and tips on:

  • Pharmacist order verification

  • Evaluating critical medication supplies

  • Problems caused by hanging sterile water bags on articulated arm of ventilators

  • Recommending alternate methods of infusion (a gravity flow rate drip chart is included)

The special edition newsletters are being made available for free to the general public as well as subscribers. To access a copy, click here. Please note that access may require free registration.

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