2
Case Study 4
IV “Smart” pumps are a great resource to have in healthcare settings. The pumps are
able to measure the volume infused, the medication administered, and it notifies you when the
medication is complete or if there is an obstruction. The name and dose of the medication is
then entered automatically into a queue in the patient electronic medical record. Before the
entry is finalized the nurse must log in and confirm that the information is correct.
Patient safety is always the first priority in healthcare. IV “Smart” pumps help healthcare
staff members keep up with all of the medications. Obstructions in an IV can cause major
problems. With the smart pump an alarm goes off when it recognizes an obstruction in the line.
The fact that the nurse has to go into the system and verify all of the information before it is
officially recorded is another patient safety implication. The patient’s electronic medical record
can only be accessed by the patient and healthcare members working with the patient. That is
to protect and respect the patient’s privacy. The technology behind the IV “Smart” pumps makes
healthcare workers jobs much more efficient. The pump automatically inserts the total volumes
infused, and the name and dose of the medication in the patient’s electronic medical record.
This saves healthcare workers lots of time charting. Overall, IV “Smart” pumps are a
tremendous asset to the healthcare industry.
