Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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What is a syringe pump?
A syringe pump is a small, portable battery-operated pump that gives you your medicines over 24 hours.
The syringe connected to the pump is filled with medicine(s) that has been prescribed for you to help your symptoms. Your medicine(s) will be reviewed on a regular basis and may be changed, if necessary.
Once it is in place, you do not need to do anything to the syringe pump. The medicine(s) will be administered automatically over 24 hours.
The syringe pump will come with a clear plastic security box, which is locked.
Why do I need a syringe pump?
Syringe pumps are used for several reasons, which are listed below (not all of these reasons may apply to you):
- Some people find it difficult to swallow theirmedicine in tablet or syrup form.
- It avoids you needing to have regular injections and is a more comfortable way to receive your medication
- Some may feel sick or vomit frequently, so cannot keep their tablets in their stomachs long enough for them to work.
- When symptoms are difficult to control by tablets alone, a syringe pump may be used until it is possible to re-start tablets.
- When absorption of oral medication through your stomach is impaired.
- Your nurse/doctor will explain to you the rationale for using a syringe pump, and any alternative methods which could be offered for taking medication, and seek your consent.
How will the syringe pump be connected to me?
A long thin tube is connected to the syringe in the pump. At the other end of the tube is a tiny plastic needle.
Your nurse will insert the needle just under your skin, usually in your abdomen, upper leg or upper arm. The nurse will put a clear dressing over the needle to keep it clean, dry and in place. Once it is in place you should not feel it and it can stay there for up to seven days.
Who will look after my syringe pump?
Your nurses in hospital, at home, in the Hospice or at your care home will check your syringe pump to make sure that it is working well, the site is comfortable and there are no problems with the medicines. They will change the syringe every day.
How will I know if the syringe pump is working?
If the syringe pump is working normally, a green light next to the on/off button will flash.
For your safety, there are a number of built-in alarms (listed opposite). If one of these alarms is triggered, the light will turn red.
Should this happen, please contact your nurse, who will check the pump.
What alarms and alerts might I see or hear?
If an alarm is triggered, the light on the syringe pump will turn red. This could happen for any of the reasons listed below:
- End battery: battery needs changing.
- Occlusion: cannula or line is kinked or blocked.
- Pump paused too long: pump has been stopped for more than two minutes.
- End program: the course of medicine is complete.
- Syringe displaced: the syringe has become detached from the pump mechanism.
If the alarm is triggered, please call the nursing team.
If the alert is triggered you will hear three beeps, every three minutes. The light will stay green, as the syringe pump is still infusing.
This could happen for either of the reasons listed below:
- Near end of infusion: nurse should be preparing new medication in syringe pump, if not please call them.
- Near end of battery: battery needs changing by a health care professional.
Contact your nurse if
- Symptoms are not controlled
- The needle comes out
- The dressing becomes loose
- You have any concerns about your syringe pump or medication
- The alarm on the syringe pump bleeps
- The syringe driver is dropped
- You have any soreness, redness, irritation or swelling at the needle site.
What else do I need to know?
Syringe pumps are quite strong, but they can be damaged if they are dropped or crushed, or if they get wet. Your nurse will discuss with you:
- How you can wash or shower with a syringe pump.
- The best place to keep your syringe pump.
- The best way to sleep whilst you have a syringe pump.
- Which activities may be undertaken and which should be restricted or stopped whilst using your syringe pump. You can get a fabric holder for the pump if you want to remain mobile.
Keep the syringe contents out of direct sunlight and do not allow them to become too hot. Avoid placing the syringe pump next to a heat pad, hot water bottle or electric blanket, or next to a mobile phone.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Palliative care service.
About this information
Service:
Palliative care
Reference:
NN/006
Approval date:
25 October 2024
Review date:
1 May 2026
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.