Inspection and testing of infusion pumps

Infusion pumps are ME (Medical Electrical) devices intended to regulate the intravenous flow of liquids through a positive pressure generated by the pump itself. Infusion pumps are used in all those wards where patients need life support and a proper nutrition. Even if infusion pumps became almost totally automated devices, a proper training of users is still necessary. In order to reduce the number of errors reported, the first step to do is to teach to all users how to prevent serious problems to patients. It is necessary to identify what are the potential risks that may be encountered in using these devices and especially the sources from which they derive. For each kind of hazard a protection system must be available. Maintenance tasks and accuracy tests are described in this chapter. Also critical issues in management and safety are described and analysed. The designers of smart infusion pumps must make sure to create products with functions that can be easily understood and used by the operators. Only thanks to the collaboration between manufacturers, technicians, doctors and nurses it becomes possible to organize the maintenance of any device, infusion pumps included.