Taking my Elastomeric Ambulatory Infuser Pump home

Taking my Elastomeric Ambulatory Infuser Pump home

Patient information and checklists

 

 

My pump will be connected for:

24hrs
46hrs
4 days

 

General information

This leaflet aims to support patients going home with an elastomeric pump. The leaflet will contain information regarding how patients can monitor the pump at home and what to do if you suspect there might be an issue with your pump.

 

What is an elastomeric pump?

An elastomeric pump is a non-electronic, portable, and disposable pump used to deliver chemotherapy. The pump has a hard outer shell, which contains a balloon that holds your chemotherapy. The pump is connected to your PICC line/PORT and the chemotherapy will slowly infuse over your recommended infusion time, which is indicated on the front of the booklet.

 

 

Living with your elastomeric pump

Your pump will be carried in a shoulder bag that will be provided by your chemotherapy nurse. It is important that the bag is carried at the same height as your central line and that the pump remains in the bag. The bags are reusable so please bring with you on each visit.

Although you can carry on as normal, please avoid the following:

• Any rigorous exercise or movements
• Getting the pump and/or your PICC line/PORT wet
• Exposing the pump to extreme heat or cold

 

My pump in detail

1. Tubing is kink-resistant and carries the medication from the device into your PICC/PORT.

2. Fill Port Cap protects the pump.

3. Progression Lines show you the progress of the infusion.

4. Flow Restrictor controls the infusion rate.

 

What should my nurse do

• Prior to connecting the pump, the nurse will complete a check to ensure the pump is working.
• The nurse will attach the pump to the patients PORT/PICC line and secure the filter to the patient's chest.
• The nurse should then ensure that the pump is place into a zip locked bag.
• The clamp of the line should be unclamped, and this should be witnessed by two nurses. The nurses will then sign below.
• The nurse will ensure that you are familiar with the checks to complete at home and explain any outstanding issues. Patient checks are detailed below.
• The nurse will ensure you have an appointment to have your pump disconnected.

Nurses to sign that the clamp on the Elasomeric Infusor Pump is unclamped on discharge.

1st nurse

2nd nurse

 

What should I do

We ask that the patient checks on the pump 3 times a day. We ask that the patient looks for the following things:

• Ensure that the IV tubing is not clamped or kinked.
• Check the ballon. The ballon should empty slowly over several hours or days.
• Utilise the progression lines on the Infuser bottle to monitor progress over time.
• Make sure that the clamp on the line is opened.
• Inspect the pump for leaks. If the drug is leaking from the pump patients can observe wetness to the dressing, skin, or clothing. Patients may also observe a white powder.
• Complete the patient diary.

 

Patient diary

The duration of the pumps varies. The duration of your pump has been indicated on the front page. Please utilise the diary for the amount of hours or days you will be connected to the pump for.

 

Date and time	IV tubing checked for kinks	Ballon checked and deflating	Number on progression lines	Clamp opened	Any signs of leakage

 

You must contact the treatment helpline if you have:

• Any signs of leakage from you PICC/PORT or the pump.
• Any pain or discomfort at the PICC/PORT site.
• Any swelling to the PICC/PORT site
• Any visible signs of damage to the pump/line
• If the pump appears to not be infusing.

 

Please call and ask for the Treatment Helpline

02920 615888