Infusion system and method of operation of an infusion system

Abstract

An infusion system for administering multiple medical fluids to a patient is provided. The infusion system comprises a storage device comprising a multiplicity of slots for arranging a multiplicity of infusion devices, and control unit for controlling an infusion operation of a multiplicity of infusion devices received in the slots of the storage device and connected to the control unit. The infusion system is characterized by the control unit providing at least one rule for determining whether a patient discharge has occurred, wherein the control unit is configured to determine that a patient discharge has occurred if the at least one rule is satisfied. Furthermore, a corresponding method of operation of an infusion system for administering multiple medical fluids to a patient is provided.

Description

[0001] Infusion system and method of operation of an infusion system

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to an infusion system for administering multiple medical fluids to a patient as well as a method of operation of an infusion system for administering multiple medical fluids to a patient.

[0004] Infusion systems for administering multiple medical fluids to a patient are known in the art. Such infusion systems are fit to be connected with a multiplicity of infusion devices and to control their operation. An infusion system is also referred to as an “infusion station”. Usually, an infusion system is placed next to the bed of a patient and infusion via the different infusion devices connected to the infusion system controlled using patient data available at the infusion system. Patient data comprises, for example, name, weight, size, age, sex and prescriptions of a patient. Other data are also possible. As the specifics of the administration of the different medical fluids administered via the different infusion devices may depend on these patient data, it is important that patient data at the infusion system match the patient to be infused. In some scenarios, especially in intensive care units or emergency care units, where patients are frequently changing, often in a great hurry, healthcare members may forget to reset patient data at the infusion-system level before starting to manage and infuse a new patient. Without a reset of patient data, the infusion data, i.e. the parameters specifying the infusion process, the prescription received and the reported infusion data for the previous patient in case the hospital relies on a Patient Data Management System may all be wrong.

[0005] Present infusion systems that necessitate an action from a user, i.e. healthcare staff, in order to reset patient data, hence are prone to infusion and diagnosis errors due to wrong patient data. This problem has been addressed, for example, by requiring a confirmation of the correctness of the patient data every time an infusion device is turned out. This, however, causes a large and tiring overhead on the side of the healthcare staff as an infusion device on an intensive care unit or emergency care unit is turned on very frequently.

[0006] It is an object of the instant invention to overcome these deficits and provide an infusion system as well as a method of operation of such an infusion system that reduces the errors associated with wrong patient data without burdening healthcare staff with additional, repetitive work.

[0007] This object is achieved by means of an infusion system for administering multiple medical fluids to a patient, wherein the infusion system comprises a storage device comprising a multiplicity of slots for arranging a multiplicity of infusion devices and a control unit for controlling an infusion operation of a multiplicity of infusion devices received in the slots of the storage device and connected to the control unit. The control unit according to the present invention provides at least one rule for determining whether a patient discharge has occurred. The control unit is configured to determine that a patient discharge has occurred if the at least one rule is satisfied.

[0008] Hence, the infusion system itself detects whether a patient discharge has occurred. As the infusion system according to the present invention does not rely on a user positively initiating a reset of patient data, errors occurring due to omission of this act are avoided. In particular, a patient discharge is detected by the infusion system without the healthcare staffs’ input. Errors associated with wrong patient data due to the omission of a patientdata reset can thus be avoided without a tiring and repetitive security request for confirmation upon every infusion-device start.

[0009] In the sense of the present invention, an infusion system is also referred to as an infusion station. An example storage device is an infusion rack. An infusion device is, for example, an infusion pump. The control unit according to the present invention comprises in one embodiment one or multiple processors. A rule in the sense of the present invention comprises at least one condition and the control unit being configured to determine that a patient discharge has occurred if the at least one rule is satisfied is, in this case, a control unit being configured to determine that a patient discharge has occurred if the at least one condition is satisfied. In the sense of the present invention, a patient discharge refers to the removal of a patient from the infusion system i.e. the situation in which an infusion system which has been used for infusing a specific patient is no longer used for this patient.

[0010] In one embodiment, the at least one rule is satisfied if the infusion system is in one of a multiplicity of defined operating statuses and if a user command is received by the control unit, wherein the user command coincides with at least one trigger command for triggering a patient discharge. Hence, the detection of a patient discharge requires a combination of a specific operating status of the infusion system with a particular user command. The defined operating statuses are provided on the infusion system, in particular on the control unit of the infusion system. For example, the defined operating statuses are a set of operating statuses of the infusion system predefined by the vendor. In one embodiment, an infusion system can be at least in one of three different operating states: programming, idle or infusing. These operating states are defined depending on the operating states of the connected infusion devices.

[0011] An infusion device is, for example, “programming”, when the infusions on that infusion device have been suspended, it is “idle” if all infusions on that device have been cancelled, i.e. the infusions have been stopped and, in contrast to suspend, cannot be continued, and it is “infusing” if at least one infusion is running on that infusion device.

[0012] Correspondingly, an infusion system is, for example, in the operating state “infusing” if at least one connected infusion device is infusing. An infusion system is “programming” if no connected infusion device is infusing and at least one connected infusion device is in the status “programming”, for example. An infusion system is “idle” if all connected infusion devices are “idle”.

[0013] The at least one trigger command is, in one embodiment, also predefined e.g. by the vendor. Multiple trigger commands exist in one embodiment. For example, the control unit is configured to determine whether an operating status of the infusion system coincides with one of the multiplicity of defined operating statuses and the control unit is configured to determine whether a user command received by the control unit coincides with the at least one trigger command. Only if both conditions are satisfied, the control unit concludes that a patient discharge has occurred.

[0014] In one embodiment, the at least one trigger command comprises the cancellation of all infusion protocols of all infusion devices arranged in the storage device. That means, the control unit is configured to determine a patient discharge, if, in addition to the infusion system being in one of the multiplicity of defined operating statuses, a user cancels all infusion protocols of all infusion devices arranged in the storage device. If both conditions are satisfied - the infusion system being in a defined operating status and a user cancelling all infusion protocols of all infusion devices arranged in the storage device - the control unit concludes that a patient discharge has occurred. For example, the at least one rule is satisfied if the infusion system is in the defined operation status “programming”, i.e. with all infusions cancelled or suspended, and the infusion system receives the trigger command “cancel all infusions” by a user. In addition to this rule, additional rules can be provided which, when satisfied, indicate that a patient discharge has occurred. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one trigger command comprises the disconnection of a last infusion device arranged in the storage device from the infusion system, in particular of a last infusing infusion device arranged in the storage device. A last infusion device is disconnected from the infusion system if the last infusion device is the only infusion device connected to the infusion system before the disconnect and no infusion device is connected to the infusion system after the disconnect. A last infusing infusion device is the last infusion device connected to the infusion system that is infusing. Hence, the control unit is configured to conclude that a patient discharge has occurred if, in addition to the infusion system being in one of the multiplicity of defined operating statuses, a user disconnects the last infusion device, in particular the last infusing infusion device, from the infusion system. For example, the at least one rule is satisfied if the infusion system is in the defined operation status “programming” or in the defined operation status “infusing”, i.e. with at least one connected infusion device infusing (in this case a single, namely the last, infusion device infusing), and the infusion system registers the removal of the last connected infusion device or the removal of the last connected infusing infusion device from the infusion system.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one trigger command comprises a patientdischarge order from a user. Hence, the control unit will determine that a patient discharge has occurred if, in addition to the infusion system being in one of the multiplicity of defined operating statuses, a user requests a patient discharge. In this way, the manual patient discharge is also incorporated in the automatic patient-discharge recognition by the infusion system. In one example, the at least one rule is satisfied if the infusion system is in the defined operation status “programming” and receives the trigger command “patient discharge”. The defined operation status is, in one example, an operation status, wherein the infusion system is in the defined operation status “programming” and prompts a user for a confirmation of a patient discharge. For example, on a screen of the infusion system, an “exit patient” button or “discharge patient” button is displayed which, when pressed or clicked by a user, will cause the infusion system to reset all patient data. The screen is, for example, connected with the control unit. The screen is for example built in the infusion system or the screen is connected to the control unit via a bus or the screen is part of a communication network to which the control unit can be connected.

[0016] In one embodiment, a defined operating status of the infusion system is a status, wherein at least one infusion device is arranged in a slot of the storage device and connected to the control unit, and wherein the infusions of the at least one infusion device are suspended and no infusing infusion device is connected to the infusion system, or a defined operating status of the infusion system is a status, wherein all infusion devices arranged in slots of the storage device and connected to the control unit are idle, wherein an infusion device is idle if its infusions are cancelled. That means, the infusion system is in the operation status “programming” or “idle”. Hence, if the control unit determines that at least one infusion device is arranged in a slot of the storage device, connected to the control unit and “programming” with no “infusing” infusion devices connected to the infusion system or “idle” with no “programming” and “infusing” infusion devices connected to the infusion system and, in addition, receives a user command that coincides with at least one trigger command, the control unit determines that a patient discharge has occurred. An infusion device is arranged in a slot of the storage device, for example, if the storage device is an infusion rack and an infusion device is arranged in one of the slots of the infusion rack. The slots of the infusion rack are, for example, compartments for the reception of an infusion device.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, a defined operating status of the infusion system is a status, wherein at least one infusion device is arranged in a slot of the storage device and connected to the control unit, wherein the at least one infusion device is infusing. That means, the infusion system is in the operating status “infusing” (at least one connected infusion device infusing).

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, a defined operating status of the infusion system is a status, wherein at least one infusion device is arranged in a slot of the storage device and connected to the control unit, wherein the infusions of the at least one infusion device are suspended and no infusing infusion device is connected to the infusion system, or wherein all infusion devices arranged in slots of the storage device and connected to the control unit are idle, wherein an infusion device is idle if its infusions are cancelled, and wherein the control unit prompts a user to confirm an patient-discharge order of a user, i.e. the infusion system is in the operating status “programming” or “idle” and wherein the control unit prompts a user for a patient-discharge order. In the sense of the present invention, a patient-discharge order is a user command that initiates a patient discharge of a patient from the infusion system. For example, the infusion system is in the operation status “programming” or “idle” and prompts a user to confirm a patient discharge and a user confirms this patient discharge, e.g. by pressing or clicking a corresponding “patient exit” or “patient discharge” button displayed on a screen of the infusion system. In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to enter a patient-discharge mode if a patient discharge has been detected. In the patient-discharge mode, a user is prompted to confirm the patient discharge or to reject the patient discharge. Hence, in comparison of a confirmation required whenever one of the infusion devices connected to the control unit is being turned on, the number of user interactions is reduced. Still, a check-up system is established, providing an additional layer of security. In an alternative embodiment, the patient-discharge mode comprises the cancellation of all patient data on the infusion system. In particular, if the patient-discharge mode has been detected as a result of the defined operation status comprising the “programming” or “idle” status wherein the control unit additionally prompts a user for a patient-discharge order and the trigger command is such a patient-discharge order, no additional confirmation or rejection is required and the patient data are reset without further invention from a user. In this embodiment, the reset of patient data is, in one example, followed by a display of an input mask that allows to input new patient data.

[0019] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to ignore all user input until the patient discharge has been confirmed or the patient discharge has been rejected or at least one suspended infusion is restarted by a user. In this way, a user is prevented from interfering with the infusion system before addressing the detected patient discharge, e.g. by rejecting or confirming, either explicitly or by restarting a suspended infusion, a patient discharge detected by the infusion system. A suspended infusion is an infusion by an infusion device arranged in a slot of the storage device and connected to the control unit which has been paused but not cancelled.

[0020] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to cancel all suspended infusions on the multiplicity of infusion devices arranged in slots of the storage device and connected with the control unit if the patient discharge has been confirmed by a user. In this way, it is prevented that suspended infusions are continued on a new patient after a confirmed patient discharge.

[0021] In one embodiment, the control unit comprises a memory unit for storing patient data to control the infusion operation of a multiplicity of infusion devices, and wherein the control unit is configured to erase the patient data if the patient discharge has been confirmed by a user. In this way, it is guaranteed that patient data of a discharged patient are not used when infusing a new patient with the same infusion system. Errors associated with wrong patient are hence avoided. In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to prompt a user for new patient data if the patient discharge has been confirmed by a user. This ensures that new patient data are entered after a patient discharge has been automatically detected and confirmed by a user. A wrong re-use of patient data of an already discharged patient is hence prevented.

[0022] The object of the instant invention is also achieved by a method of operation of an infusion system for administering multiple medical fluids to a patient. The infusion system is, for example, an infusion system according to the present invention and is characterized by the features of claim 1 as well as its dependent claims. The infusion system comprises a storage device with a multiplicity of slots for arranging a multiplicity of infusion devices and a control unit for controlling an infusion operation of a multiplicity of infusion devices received in the slots of the storage device and connected to the control unit. The method is characterized by the steps of providing, by the control unit, at least one rule for determining whether a patient discharge has occurred, and determining, by the control unit, that a patient discharge has occurred if the at least one rule is satisfied.

[0023] In one embodiment, the control unit comprises at least one processor and the method is a computer-implemented method.

[0024] In one embodiment, the method further comprises, if the infusion system is in one of a multiplicity of defined operating statuses, the steps of receiving, by the control unit, a user command and determining, by the control unit, that the at least one rule is satisfied if the user command coincides with at least one trigger command for triggering a patient discharge.

[0025] The embodiments described with respect to the infusion system translate into steps of the method according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] The idea underlying the invention shall subsequently be described in more detail with respect to the embodiment shown in the drawings. Herein:

[0027] Fig. 1 illustrates an infusion system and a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 2 illustrates an infusion system and a method according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 illustrates an infusion system and a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig. 4 illustrates an infusion system and a method according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Fig. 5 illustrates an infusion system and a method according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0031] Fig. 6 shows an infusion system and a method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows an infusion system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The infusion system 1 comprises a storage device 11 for the reception of a multiplicity of infusion devices 2. The storage device 11 is, for example, an infusion rack. The storage device 11 comprises a multiplicity of slots 111 for the arrangement of a multiplicity of infusion devices 2. In the present example, the storage device 11 comprises four slots for the reception of four infusion devices 2. The infusion system 1 comprises a control unit 12 for controlling the infusion operation of the infusion devices 2 arranged in the slots 111 of the storage device 11. The control unit 12 comprises, in one example, at least one processor for controlling the infusion operation of the infusion devices 2. The infusion devices 2 are connected to the control unit 12, e.g. via ports and buses arranged at, for example, at the backside of the slots 111 , respectively. The infusion devices 2 are hence in communication connection with the control unit 12 of the infusion system 1. Thus, multiple medical fluids can be administered to a patient and their administration controlled via a single control unit 12 of the infusion system 1. In order to control the infusion, i.e. the administration of the different medical fluids via the infusion devices 2, the infusion system 1 relies also on patient data such as, for example, name, age, weight, size, sex and prescriptions of a patient. If a patient is finished infusing, the infusion system 1 can and is regularly being used on a next patient. When such a change of patient occurs, it is crucial to update the patient data to the new patient. Otherwise, patient data used to control the infusions may be wrong, resulting in wrong infusions. However, considering the hurry and frequency with which such a patient change occurs, especially in an intensive care unit or in an emergency care unit, updating patient data is easily forgotten. In order to reduce the error susceptibility of infusion systems 1 , in the prior art, additional confirmation layers have been introduced. However, these provide additional and often superfluous tasks to be accomplished by the anyways busy healthcare staff. In order to avoid these problems associated with the prior art, the control unit 12 of the infusion system 1 provides at least one rule 3 (see Figs. 4 to 6) for determining whether a patient discharge has occurred. The control unit 12 is configured to determine that a patient discharge has occurred if the at least one rule 3 is satisfied. In this way, a patient discharge is detected automatically by the infusion system 1 itself without intervention by a user, e.g. healthcare staff. This reduces the error susceptibility of the infusion system 1 without burdening a user, in particular healthcare staff, with additional and often superfluous tasks.

[0033] In the depicted embodiment, the infusion system 1 is in the operating status 31 “infusing” (I): all connected infusion devices 2 are infusing. The infusion system 1 is in the operating status 31 “infusing” (I) if at least one of the infusion devices 2 arranged in a slot 111 of the storage device 11 and connected to the control unit 12 is infusing. For example, the operating status 31 is a status provided by, in and used by the control unit 12, in particular by the at least one processor of the control unit 12.

[0034] Fig. 2 depicts the infusion system 1 described with regard to Fig. 1 in another operating status 31 : the infusions of all infusion devices 2 arranged in slots 111 of the storage device

[0035] I I are suspended. If the infusions on all infusion devices 2 which are arranged in slots 111 of the storage device 11 and connected to the control unit 12 are suspended, the infusion system 1 is in the operating status 31 “programming” (P). In general, the “programming” status requires at least one connected infusion device 2 being in the status “programming” and no connected infusion device 2 being “infusing” (I).

[0036] Fig. 3 depicts the infusion system of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 in another operating status 31 , namely in the operating status 3 “idle” (ID): the infusions on all infusion devices 2 arranged in slots

[0037] I I I of the storage device 11 and connected to the control unit 12 have been cancelled. If the infusions on all infusion devices 2 which are arranged in slots 111 of the storage device 11 and connected to the control unit 12 are cancelled, the infusion system 1 is in the operating status 31 “idle” (ID).

[0038] Fig. 4 illustrates the infusion system 1 and a method of operation of such an infusion system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The infusion system 1 has, for example, the features described with regard to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. For example, the infusion system 1 can be in at least three operating statuses 31 : “idle”, “programming” or “infusing”. The at least one rule is satisfied if the infusions system 1 is in one of a multiplicity of defined operating statuses and if a user command 32 is received by the control unit 12, wherein the user command 32 coincides with at least one trigger command for triggering a patient discharge. Fig. 4 illustrates an example of the at least one rule 3, wherein the control unit 12 determines that a patient discharge has occurred if the at least one rule 3 is satisfied. In this example, the at least one rule 3 is satisfied if the infusion system is in a defined operating status and, while being in that defined operating status, receives one of the trigger commands as user command 32. The at least one rule 3 requires that the operating status 31 is “programming” (P) or “idle” (ID). This is, for example, the case if the infusions on all infusion devices 2 connected to the control unit 12 are suspended (“programming” P) or cancelled (“idle” ID). Further, the first rule 3 requires that while in this operating status 31 , the control unit 12 receives the user command 32 to cancel all infusions on all infusion devices 2 connected to the control unit 12. That means, the trigger command is the command c to cancel the infusions on all connected infusion devices 2. If this is the case, the control unit 12 determines that a patient discharge 33 has occurred. In one embodiment, the infusion system 1 enters a patient-discharge mode 4 if a patient discharge 33 has been determined. In the patient-discharge mode, a user is, for example prompted to confirm 41 the patient discharge 33 or to reject 42 the patient discharge. Optionally, the control unit 12 is configured to ignore all user input until the patient discharge 33 has been either confirmed 41 or rejected 42 or until at least one suspended infusion is restarted (i.e. the infusion system 1 changes operating status 31 from “programming” or “idle” to “infusing”). If the patient discharge 33 has been confirmed 41 by a user, all suspended infusions are cancelled on the infusion devices 2 connected with the control unit 12 by the control unit 12. Additionally or alternatively, patient data stored on a memory unit of the control unit 12 is erased 43 by the control unit 12, if the patient discharge 33 has been confirmed 41 by a user. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the control unit 12 prompts a user for new patient data if the patient discharge 33 has been confirmed 41 by a user. In this way, the first rule 3 provides a criterion for the automatic detection of a patient discharge 33 at the infusion system 1 by the infusion system 1.

[0039] Fig. 5 illustrates an infusion system 1 and a method of its operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. The infusion system 1 has, for example, the features described with regard to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. For example, the infusion system 1 can be in at least three operating statuses 31 : “idle”, “programming” or “infusing”. The at least one rule is satisfied if the infusions system 1 is in one of a multiplicity of defined operating statuses and if a user command 32 is received by the control unit 12, wherein the user command 32 coincides with at least one trigger command for triggering a patient discharge. Fig. 5 illustrates another example of the at least one rule 3, wherein the control unit 12 determines that a patient discharge has occurred if the at least one rule 3 is satisfied. This rule is provided either instead of the at least one rule described with regard to Fig. 4 or in addition to the at least one rule described with regard to Fig. 4. The at least one rule 3 requires in this example as well that the infusion system 1 be in the operating status 31 “programming” (P) or “idle” (ID). That means, the defined operating status is “programming” (P) or “idle” (ID). If, while in this operating status 31 , the control unit 12 receives the user command 32 to discharge x a patient, the control unit 12 determines that a patient discharge 33 has occurred. That means, the trigger command is the command to discharge x a patient. In one embodiment, the control unit 12 prompts a user for a patient-discharge order x in the “programming” or in the “idle” operating status 31. For example, a corresponding prompt is displayed on a screen of the infusion system 1 , e.g. as an “exit” or “discharge patient” button. If a user clicks on such a button, a patient-discharge order x is confirmed. That means, the control unit 12 receives the user command 32 to discharge x a patient. Consequently, a patient discharge 33 is determined by the control unit 12. The control unit 12 enters a patient-discharge mode 4. In contrast to the patient-discharge mode 4 of the embodiment described with regard to the at least one rule of Fig. 4, in this case, no additional confirmation 41 or rejection 42 is required, as the patient discharge 33 results already from a corresponding positive request of a user (discharge x patient). Rather, patient data are erased 43 from a memory unit of the control unit 12 and a user is prompted 44 for new patient data. With this at least one rule 3, the explicit request for a patient discharge by a user is integrated into the automatic detection of patient discharges 33 by the infusion system 1 itself.

[0040] In Fig. 6 a further or alternative at least one rule 3 is illustrated. This at least one rule 3 is, for example, provided in addition to or alternative to the at least one rules 3 described with regard to Fig. 4 and 5. The at least one rule 3 in this example requires that the infusion system 1 be in either the operating status 31 “idle” (ID), “programming” (P) or “infusing” (I). That means, the defined operating statuses are “idle (ID)”, “programming” (P) and “infusing” (I). That means, either the infusions on all infusion devices 2 connected to the control unit 12 are cancelled (“idle”) or the infusions on at least one infusion device 2 are suspended and no other infusion devices 2 infusing (“programming”) or at least one infusion device 2 connected to the control unit 12 is infusing (“infusing”). If the control unit 12 received the user command that the last infusion device 2 is disconnected d from the infusion system 2, i.e. the last infusion device 2 is disconnected from the control unit 12, the control unit 12 determines that the at least one rule is satisfied and a patient discharge 33 has occurred. In one example, the control unit 12 enters a patient-discharge mode 4 in which a user is required to confirm 41 or reject 42 the determined patient discharge 33. This adds an additional layer of security and allows a user to correct the automatic determination. User input is, for example, ignored by the control unit 12 until a user either confirms 41 or rejects 42 the determined patient discharge 33, or restarts at least one suspended infusion. If the last infusion device 2 has indeed been removed from the infusion system 1 , such a restart is, of course, not possible. Upon confirmation 41, old patient data are, for example, erased

[0041] 43 and a user prompted 44 for new patient data.

[0042] List of Reference Numerals

[0043] 1 infusion system 11 storage device 111 slot

[0044] 12 control unit 13 memory unit

[0045] 14 screen 2 infusion device

[0046] 3 rule 31 operation status

[0047] 32 user command 33 patient discharge

[0048] 4 patient-discharge mode 41 confirmation

[0049] 42 rejection 43 erase patient data

[0050] 44 prompt for new patient data P programming I infusing ID idle c cancel all infusion protocols X discharge patient d disconnect last infusion device

Claims

Claims1. An infusion system (1) for administering multiple medical fluids to a patient, the infusion system (1) comprising:- a storage device (11) comprising a multiplicity of slots (111) for arranging a multiplicity of infusion devices (2), and- a control unit (12) for controlling an infusion operation of a multiplicity of infusion devices (2) received in the slots (111) of the storage device (11) and connected to the control unit (12), characterized in that the control unit (12) provides at least one rule (3) for determining whether a patient discharge (33) has occurred, wherein the control unit (12) is configured to determine that a patient discharge (33) has occurred if the at least one rule (3) is satisfied.

2. An infusion system (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one rule (3) is satisfied if the infusion system (1) is in one of a multiplicity of defined operating statuses and if a user command (32) is received by the control unit (12), wherein the user command (32) coincides with at least one trigger command for triggering a patient discharge (33).

3. An infusion system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one trigger command comprises the cancellation (c) of all infusion protocols of all infusion devices (2) arranged in the storage device (11) and connected to the control unit (11).

4. An infusion system (1) according to one of the claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the at least one trigger command comprises the disconnection (d) of a last infusion device (2) arranged in the storage device (11) from the infusion system.

5. An infusion system (1) according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the at least one trigger command comprises a patient-discharge order (x).

6. An infusion system (1) according to one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that a defined operating status of the infusion system (1) is a status (31), wherein at least one infusion device (2) is arranged in a slot (111) of the storage device (11) and connected to the control unit (12), wherein the infusions of the at least one infusion device (2) are suspended and no infusing infusion device (2) is connected to the infusion system (1),or a defined operating status of the infusion system (1) is a status (31), wherein all infusion devices (2) arranged in slots (111) of the storage device (11) and connected to the control unit (12) are idle, wherein an infusion device (2) is idle if its infusions are cancelled.

7. An infusion system (1) according to one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that a defined operating status of the infusion system (1) is a status (31), wherein at least one infusion device (2) is arranged in a slot (111) of the storage device (11) and connected to the control unit (12), wherein the at least one infusion device (2) is infusing.

8. An infusion system (1) according to one of the claims 2 to 7, characterized in that a defined operating status of the infusion system (1) is a status, wherein at least one infusion device (2) is arranged in a slot (111) of the storage device (11) and connected to the control unit (12), wherein the infusions of the at least one infusion device (2) are suspended and no infusing infusion device (2) is connected to the infusion system (1), or wherein all infusion devices (2) arranged in slots (111) of the storage device (11) and connected to the control unit (12) are idle, wherein an infusion device (2) is idle if its infusions are cancelled, and wherein the control unit (12) prompts a user to confirm an patient-discharge order (x) of a user.

9. An infusion system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (12) is configured to enter a patient-discharge mode 4 if a patient discharge (33) has been detected, wherein in the patient-discharge mode 4 a user is prompted to confirm (41) the patient discharge (33) or to reject (42) the patient discharge (33).

10. An infusion system (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the control unit (12) is configured to ignore all user input until the patient discharge (33) has been confirmed (41) or the patient discharge (33) has been rejected (42) or at least one suspended infusion is restarted by a user.11 . An infusion system (1) according to the claim 10, characterized in that the control unit (12) is configured to cancel all suspended infusions on the multiplicity of infusion devices (2) arranged in slots (111) of the storage device (11) and connected to the control unit (12), if the patient discharge (33) has been confirmed (41) by a user.

12. An infusion system (1) according to one of the claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the control unit (12) comprises a memory unit for storing patient data to control the infusion operation of a multiplicity of infusion devices (2), and wherein the control unit (12) is configured to erase (43) the patient data, if the patient discharge (33) has been confirmed (41) by a user.

13. An infusion system (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the control unit (12) is configured to prompt (44) a user for new patient data, if the patient discharge (33) has been confirmed (41) by a user.

14. A method of operation of an infusion system (1) for administering multiple medical fluids to a patient according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the infusion system (1) comprises a storage device (11) with a multiplicity of slots (111) for arranging a multiplicity of infusion devices (2), and a control unit (12) for controlling an infusion operation of a multiplicity of infusion devices (2) received in the slots (111) of the storage device (11) and connected to the control unit (12), characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: providing, by the control unit (12), at least one rule (3) for determining whether a patient discharge (33) has occurred, and- determining, by the control unit (12), that a patient discharge (33) has occurred if the at least one rule (3) is satisfied.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the method further comprises, if the infusion system (1) is in one of a multiplicity of defined operating statuses, the steps of receiving, by the control unit (12), a user command (32) and determining, by the control unit (12), that the at least one rule (3) is satisfied if the user command (32) coincides with at least one trigger command for triggering a patient discharge (33).

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