Alaris™ VP Plus Guardrails™ Volumetric Pump
Secondary (Piggyback) Infusions
1000DF00660 Issue 9
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Secondary (Piggyback) Infusions
Secondary, or piggyback, Infusion mode is only available if it has been configured .
The application of secondary infusions should be limited to the intermittent therapy of medications which are not sensitive to the total
time required to complete an infusion .
A
• Typically antibiotics may be infused using a secondary infusion, where the primary infusion is limited to
maintenance fluid. If intending to use the secondary infusion facility, the primary infusion should be a
maintenance fluid only and is not indicated for drug therapy.
• The application of secondary infusions for delivery of critical drugs, particularly those with a short half life, is not
indicated for use. These drugs should be administered through a dedicated Pump channel.
• Flow may occur from the primary fluid container during a secondary infusion, dependent upon factors such as
fluid viscosity, the secondary infusion rate, head height between both fluid containers and the use of clamps.
This could result in drug remaining in the container at the end of the secondary infusion, delaying its delivery
for a period of time which is dependent upon the primary infusion rate. Therefore it is recommended that flow
sensors, if used, are disconnected from the Pump during secondary infusions.
• Regular monitoring for unexpected primary flow is recommended. If flow from the primary fluid container is
not desired during secondary infusion and/or the patient is sensitive to fluid balance, the clamp on the primary
infusion set should be closed. Check that no drops fall in the primary drip chamber.
• On completion of the primary infusion the Pump will continue at Keep Vein Open (KVO) rate.
Typical Secondary infusions
1
2
In-line Clamp e .g .
roller clamp .
Primary Fluid Container
IV Pole
Back Check Valve
Secondary Fluid Container
Usually a smaller container e .g .
50ml, 100ml, 200ml or 250ml .
Secondary Infusion Set e .g .
72951NE . Usually shorter
tubing to reach the Y-site on
the primary Infusion set .
Upper Y-Site (SmartSite® Needle-
Free Valve) on Primary Infusion Set .
Extension Hook (approx . 26cm)
Normally included with the Secondary Infusion Set .
Primary Fluid Container must hang lower than the
Secondary Fluid Container to allow the secondary
infusion to run and primary infusion to restart on
completion of the secondary infusion .
Primary Infusion Set
A
The Secondary Infusion Set
connects to the upper Y-site
on the Primary Infusion Set.
In-line Clamp e .g .
roller clamp .
In-line Clamp
Setting up a secondary infusion
1 . Ensure Primary infusion has been setup in ml/h .
2 . Press
h
to put the Pump
ON HOLD
.
3 . Press
d
to access the
OPTIONS
screen .
4 . Select
SECONDARY SETUP
. Press
OK
to confirm .
5 . Select either
ml/h
or
DRUGS A-Z
. Press
OK
to confirm either selection .
6 . Enter the secondary
RATE
using the
f
keys . Press
OK
to confirm .
7 . Set
VTBI
using the
f
keys . Press
OK
to confirm .
8 . Review
PRIMARY/SECONDARY
setup summary . If correct, press
OK
to continue, or
BACK
to adjust
VTBI
or
RATE
of the
SECONDARY
mode .
9 . Press
b
to start the infusion in secondary mode . An advisory screen will be displayed -
ENSURE SECONDARY INFUSION SET
OPEN
.
10 . Press
OK
to start infusing at the displayed rate .
On completion of the secondary VTBI, the Pump will automatically transition to the primary infusion, an audible beep will be heard .
