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5.5
Pump Height
Warning
Ideally, the syringe pump should be level with the distal tip of the
catheter (e.g., the site of fluid delivery; if accessing a central line the
syringe pump should be at the level of the patient’s heart). If the pump
height is raised relative to the distal tip of the catheter (e.g., during
patient transport), the increase in height of the syringe pump can result
in a temporary increase in fluid delivery or bolus until the flow rate
stabilizes. Alternatively, if the pump is lowered relative to the distal tip of
the catheter, the decrease in height of the syringe pump may result in a
decrease in delivery or under-infusion until the flow rate stabilizes.
Precautions for pump position
If using multiple syringe pumps and it is not clinically feasible to have all
pumps level with the distal tip of the catheter (or the site of fluid delivery),
place the high risk or life-sustaining medications as close to level with the
distal tip of the catheter as possible. When infusing multiple high risk or
life-sustaining medications, consider placing the ones infusing at the
lowest rates as close to the level with the distal tip of the catheter as
possible.
Minimize the height difference between the pump and the patient and
avoid changes in the height of the pump (e.g., during transport of critically
ill patients) to prevent unintended fluctuations in the flow rate.
