Lesson 1Verification processes: two-person checks, MAR comparison, patient ID confirmationDetails verification steps before starting or changing an infusion. Emphasizes two-person checks, comparing orders to the MAR, confirming patient identity, and reconciling pump settings to ensure the right drug, dose, route, and time in Australian clinical settings.
Standardised two-person check procedureComparing pump orders with the MARPatient ID verification and barcode useReconciling pump settings with written ordersHandling discrepancies and near-miss findingsLesson 2Programming medications and fluids: dose, rate, concentration, infusion limits, lockoutsFocuses on safely programming medications and fluids into infusion pumps. Covers entering dose, rate, and concentration, setting infusion limits and lockouts, using weight-based dosing, and verifying calculations before starting therapy in nursing practice.
Entering dose, rate, and concentration fieldsWeight-based and age-based dosing inputsSetting infusion limits and lockout intervalsUsing preconfigured drug library profilesFinal verification before starting infusionLesson 3Human factors and medication safety: look-alike/sound-alike meds, labelling, double-check workflowsExplores how human factors influence infusion pump medication errors. Covers look-alike and sound-alike drugs, safe labelling, independent double-checks, and workflow design to reduce slips, lapses, and confirmation bias at the bedside in clinical environments.
Look-alike and sound-alike medication risksSafe labelling and storage near infusion pumpsIndependent double-check and cross-check stepsDesigning workflows to reduce confirmation biasHuman error types: slips, lapses, rule mistakesLesson 4Principles of infusion pump function and common types (smart pumps, syringe, volumetric)Introduces core principles of infusion pump function and major device types. Compares smart pumps, syringe pumps, and volumetric pumps, highlighting indications, advantages, limitations, and typical clinical use cases in nursing practice across Australia.
Basic mechanics of infusion pump operationSmart pump capabilities and connectivitySyringe pump indications and limitationsVolumetric pump uses and accuracy factorsSelecting the right pump for the therapyLesson 5Common alarms and troubleshooting: occlusion, air-in-line, low battery, infusion complete — causes and immediate actionsExplains common infusion pump alarms, their likely causes, and immediate nursing actions. Addresses occlusion, air-in-line, low battery, and infusion complete alarms, including safe troubleshooting and when to pause or stop therapy for patient safety.
Recognising and prioritising alarm typesOcclusion alarm causes and quick checksManaging air-in-line alarms safelyResponding to low battery and power lossActions after infusion complete alarmsLesson 6Documentation and handoff: entries for MAR, pump settings, incident reporting, communication prompts for next nurseCovers accurate documentation of infusions in the MAR and electronic record, including pump settings, rate changes, and responses. Addresses structured handoff communication, incident reporting, and prompts to ensure continuity for the next nurse in shifts.
Recording pump settings and changes in the MARDocumenting patient response and site statusUsing standardised handoff tools for infusionsWhen and how to file safety incident reportsCommunicating pending titrations and labsLesson 7When to escalate: signs requiring physician notification vs. biomedical engineeringClarifies when nurses should escalate infusion-related concerns. Differentiates issues needing physician notification from those requiring biomedical engineering, and outlines information to provide during escalation for timely response in healthcare settings.
Clinical changes needing physician contactDevice failures needing biomedical supportInformation to gather before escalationUsing chain of command for urgent issuesDocumenting escalation and follow-up plansLesson 8Monitoring during infusion: site checks, vital sign correlations, fluid balance documentationDescribes ongoing monitoring responsibilities during an infusion. Emphasizes site assessments, vital sign trends, fluid balance documentation, and early recognition of infiltration, extravasation, and hemodynamic instability for optimal care.
Scheduled IV site and line patency checksLinking vital signs to infusion effectsTracking intake, output, and fluid balanceRecognising infiltration and extravasationAdjusting monitoring for high-risk drugsLesson 9Safety features and error prevention: dose-error reduction software, guardrails, infusion protocolsReviews infusion pump safety technologies and how to use them effectively. Explains dose-error reduction software, guardrail limits, drug libraries, and standardised infusion protocols to prevent programming errors and overdoses in practice.
Dose-error reduction software principlesUsing and updating drug librariesGuardrail soft and hard limit settingsStandardised infusion and titration protocolsResponding to guardrail alerts safelyLesson 10Pre-use checks: device integrity, battery, IV sets, tubing connections, alarm settings, calibrationOutlines essential pre-use checks before connecting a patient. Includes inspecting device integrity, verifying battery status, selecting correct IV sets, confirming tubing connections, checking alarm settings, and understanding calibration needs for safety.
Visual inspection of pump housing and screenBattery status and power cord verificationChoosing compatible IV sets and cassettesSecuring tubing and line connectionsConfirming alarm volume and default limits
