What Researchers Did
Researchers evaluated the flow accuracy of the Hospira Plum A+ (HB) hyperbaric infusion pump under various monoplace and multiplace hyperbaric conditions.
What They Found
In monoplace trials, the pump functioned within 12.5% tolerance at 1 ml/hour (mean deviation +3.3%) and faster rates (mean deviation -0.4%), with packed red blood cells also within limits (-3.3%). Multiplace trials showed accuracy within manufacturer's limits (mean deviation -0.1%), but battery life at maximum flow was shorter than a clinical session, lasting 82 and 94 minutes. Additionally, 64% of monoplace trials at 1 ml/hour had no measurable infusion during compression, with more than twice the programmed volume delivered during decompression (mean 0.40 ml).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients requiring intravenous infusions in hyperbaric chambers can generally expect accurate medication delivery with this pump model. However, clinicians should be mindful of battery life limitations during longer sessions and potential variations in infusion volume during compression and decompression phases.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study's findings are specific to the Hospira Plum A+ (HB) pump and may not generalize to other infusion devices or hyperbaric settings.