Lesson 1Verification processes: two-person checks, MAR comparison, patient ID confirmationExplains verification steps before starting or changing an infusion. Stresses two-person checks, matching orders to the MAR, confirming patient identity, and matching pump settings to ensure the correct drug, dose, route, and time.
Standard two-person check methodMatching pump orders with the MARPatient ID check and barcode useMatching pump settings with written ordersDealing with differences and near-miss reportsLesson 2Programming medications and fluids: dose, rate, concentration, infusion limits, lockoutsFocuses on safely entering medications and fluids into infusion pumps. Covers inputting dose, rate, and concentration, setting infusion limits and lockouts, using weight-based dosing, and checking calculations before starting treatment.
Entering dose, rate, and concentration fieldsWeight-based and age-based dosing inputsSetting infusion limits and lockout timesUsing pre-set drug library profilesFinal check before starting infusionLesson 3Human factors and medication safety: look-alike/sound-alike meds, labeling, double-check workflowsLooks at how human factors affect infusion pump medicine errors. Covers drugs that look or sound alike, safe labeling, independent double-checks, and workflow design to reduce slips, lapses, and confirmation bias at the bedside.
Risks of look-alike and sound-alike medicinesSafe labeling 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 basic principles of infusion pump function and main device types. Compares smart pumps, syringe pumps, and volumetric pumps, highlighting uses, advantages, limitations, and typical clinical cases in nursing practice.
Basic mechanics of infusion pump operationSmart pump features and connectivitySyringe pump uses and limitationsVolumetric pump uses and accuracy factorsChoosing the right pump for the treatmentLesson 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. Covers occlusion, air-in-line, low battery, and infusion complete alarms, including safe troubleshooting and when to pause or stop treatment.
Recognizing and prioritizing 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 recording 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.
Recording pump settings and changes in the MARDocumenting patient response and site statusUsing standard 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 doctor notification from those requiring biomedical engineering, and outlines information to provide during escalation for timely response.
Clinical changes needing doctor 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 duties during an infusion. Emphasizes site assessments, vital sign trends, fluid balance recording, and early recognition of infiltration, extravasation, and hemodynamic instability.
Scheduled IV site and line patency checksLinking vital signs to infusion effectsTracking intake, output, and fluid balanceRecognizing 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 well. Explains dose-error reduction software, guardrail limits, drug libraries, and standard infusion protocols to prevent programming errors and overdoses.
Dose-error reduction software principlesUsing and updating drug librariesGuardrail soft and hard limit settingsStandard 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.
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
