Automatic Infusion Pump Setting Transfer During Device Handoffs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of maintaining the 'five rights' of medication administration during the transfer of medical devices, such as IV pumps, between different hospital wards, where manual barcode scanning and programming introduce errors and increase workload, is not adequately addressed by existing automated systems.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically identifies the patient and imminent handoff of medical devices, allowing settings to be transferred seamlessly between infusion pumps without user intervention, adapting to different hospital wards based on location and ensuring compliance with hospital protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual barcode scanning and programming are used to transfer pump settings, then the five rights of medication administration can be verified, but the process complexity and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-service by having the pump autonomously scan the patient wristband barcode and transfer settings without caregiver intervention. The pump independently identifies the patient, retrieves appropriate settings, and programs itself, eliminating manual scanning and programming steps while maintaining medication safety verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of barcode scanning and programming is replaced with an automated electronic system. The pump uses its integrated scanner and processor to automatically read patient identifiers, retrieve settings from the hospital network, and program itself, substituting human manual operations with automated electronic processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual programming of pump settings is performed during device transfer, then settings can be customized for the new location, but programming errors and workload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates an automatic copy of the pump settings from the previous location and applies it to the new location. Instead of manual programming, the pump automatically copies relevant settings parameters and transfers them, ensuring programming accuracy while allowing location-specific adaptations through the copied configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump settings are pre-configured and stored in the system before the device transfer occurs. When the pump is moved to a new location, the appropriate settings are already prepared and available for automatic retrieval and application, eliminating the need for manual programming at the time of transfer.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If secondary pump and set arrangement is used to maintain treatment during IV set changes, then patient treatment continuity is maintained, but additional workload and programming time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The pump performs self-service during IV set changes by automatically maintaining treatment parameters and settings without requiring nurse intervention for re-programming. The pump independently manages the transition, keeping treatment continuous while eliminating the need for manual settings entry during the changeover process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If pump settings are manually adjusted when moving between hospital wards, then compliance with ward-specific protocols is achieved, but time and potential for errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
Ward-specific protocol settings are pre-configured in the system before the pump arrives at each location. When the pump is moved to a new ward, the appropriate protocol settings are already prepared and automatically applied, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and reducing setup time while ensuring protocol compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual process of adjusting pump settings to comply with ward protocols is replaced with an automated electronic retrieval and application system. The pump automatically accesses the appropriate protocol settings for the new location and applies them without manual intervention, ensuring compliance while reducing time and error potential.
Data Source
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AI summary
An identification system identifies a new infusion device that moved into a predetermined area associated with an active infusion device currently performing an ongoing infusion of a medication to a patient and, responsive to that identifying, determines that an orientation of the new infusion device is indicative of the new infusion device arriving to replace or supplement the active infusion device. Responsive to determining the orientation, the system automatically programs the new infusion device with settings currently being used by the active infusion device in the ongoing infusion of the medication to the patient, without user input of the settings, and the new infusion device is activated to initiate a new infusion or to continue the ongoing infusion of the medication based on the automatically programmed settings.