Syringe driver competencies

Toggle navigation. Members Area. What is it like to die? Home Education Syringe Driver Competency. Syringe Driver Competency. The outline of the programme is as follows — for both online and in person learning. Programme aim To assist Registered Nurses to obtain the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills they require to manage syringe drivers in their place of practice and for enrolled nurses to be competent in checking.

Find a Hospice. Our News. Make a donation. Facebook Instagram YouTube. Social Media. Screen will go blank. Disconnect the line from cannula and cap the end of cannula with luer plug and protect line with luer plug do not remove syringe from syringe driver.

Resume the infusion as follows: 1. Check prescription, syringe label and patient details match. Remove luer plug and reconnect line using clean technique. Press and hold ON button until beep is heard. If this is done inadvertently the rate of the infusion will change. If the change is clinically significant you would need to set up a completely new syringe from the start. Alternative method for temporary interruption when showering. Leave the syringe driver running 2.

Disconnect the line from the cannula and cap the end of cannula with a luer plug 3. Place the line in a clean container such as medicine cup 4. After showering, reconnect the line to the cannula. This method is simple particularly for patients and family in the community, reducing the risk of patients pressing the wrong buttons and inadvertently under-dosing themselves.

Minimal wastage occurs — e. Changing the battery mid-infusion 1. Remove the old battery, this will automatically stop the infusion. Replace with new battery. If the change is clinically significant you would need to set up a completely new infusion. Starting a new syringe At completion of previous syringe: 1. The syringe driver will stop automatically when the syringe is empty and an alarm will sound. Press the OFF key to turn the syringe driver off.

Remove the empty syringe. Turn the syringe driver back on and load the new syringe. Before completion of previous syringe e. If the infusion is to be stopped before the syringe is empty press the STOP key to interrupt the infusion. Press and Hold the OFF key. Remove the syringe from the syringe driver. Load the new syringe. Changing an extension set only e.

Clamp the extension set and remove the syringe from the syringe driver. Place the barrel clamp arm in the down position. Attach the new extension set to the syringe and prime the set manually. Clamp the line. Use the FF key to reposition the actuator to fit the new volume in the syringe.

Place the syringe back into syringe driver. NOTE: The time remaining will adjust automatically to account for the volume removed from the syringe when priming the new line.

PART IV Troubleshooting Alerts and Alarms Alerts — an alarm will sound intermittently, the infusion will continue, a message appears on the display screen indicating the cause. Alarms — an alarm will sound continuously, the infusion will stop, the LED turns to red, and a message appears on display screen indicating the cause. Conclusion The use of subcutaneous medications and syringe drivers in palliative care to achieve symptom control is standard and accepted practice.

The use of syringe drivers allows patients and families the choice of being cared for at home by their family or friends or in Aged Residential Care facilities with the support of their general practitioner, community nurse and local specialist palliative care team.

These guidelines are intended to provide a standardised approach to clinical care and to minimise practice errors that can impact on patient safety. If you use syringe drivers intermittently ensure you feel competent or ask someone who is competent to help you. Frequently asked questions: 1. Should needles be inserted bevel up or bevel down?

Needles are bevelled to ease insertion; they should be inserted bevel up. My certificate is out of date; do I need to do the 2 hour workshop again? No, the programme only requires you to complete the 2 hour workshop once unless you wish to repeat it. If your certificate is out of date you should attend an annual update session, where your practical skills will be reassessed, and complete a written test paper if necessary.

If your certificate is more than two years out of date it may be necessary for you to attend the initial workshop again. Can I set up syringe drivers if my certificate is out of date? This is not a compulsory programme although some organisations are choosing to make it mandatory as a way of demonstrating safe practice. Nurses are responsible for working within their scope of practice at all times as required by the Nursing Council.

Choose a time that best suits your setting when maximum clinical support is available. Calculate volume of drugs and water required based on local guidelines , state syringe size and show workings. Calculators are allowed! When and how to use a syringe driver in palliative care. BPJ ; Available from: www. The Syringe Driver. Continuous subcutaneous infusions in palliative care. Ellershaw, J. Care of the dying.

A pathway to excellence. MacLeod, R. The Palliative Care Handbook. Marie Curie. Syringe drivers. Guidelines for syringe driver management in palliative care in New Zealand. The education program is aimed at front line staff. Websites www.

PART VIII Framework for reflection The next section is designed to give you the opportunity to reflect on your learning so far and may be useful to include with your certificate in your portfolio.

Reflection is a good tool to use as it provides us with an opportunity to review and think about an experience within a certain context and link it to past experiences. We then have the opportunity to incorporate our learning into our current practice.

What have I learnt from this training that will help maintain and develop my professional knowledge and competence? What else do I need to know to extend my professional development in this area?

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