Infusion Pump - Types of Infusion

Types of Infusion

The user interface of pumps usually requests details on the type of infusion from the technician or nurse that sets them up:

• Continuous infusion usually consists of small pulses of infusion, usually between 500 nanoliters and 10000 microliters, depending on the pump's design, with the rate of these pulses depending on the programmed infusion speed.
• Intermittent infusion has a "high" infusion rate, alternating with a low programmable infusion rate to keep the cannula open. The timings are programmable. This mode is often used to administer antibiotics, or other drugs that can irritate a blood vessel.
• Patient-controlled is infusion on-demand, usually with a preprogrammed ceiling to avoid intoxication. The rate is controlled by a pressure pad or button that can be activated by the patient. It is the method of choice for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), in which repeated small doses of opioid analgesics are delivered, with the device coded to stop administration before a dose that may cause hazardous respiratory depression is reached.
• Total parenteral nutrition usually requires an infusion curve similar to normal mealtimes.

Some pumps offer modes in which the amounts can be scaled or controlled based on the time of day. This allows for circadian cycles which may be required for certain types of medication.