Evaluation of flow rates for six disposable infusion devices

Abstract

The accuracy of flow was studied for six disposable infusion devices: Eclipse (Block Medical), Homepump (Block Medical), Intermate (Baxter Healthcare), MedFlo (Secure Medical), ReadyMED (McGaw), and SideKick (I-Flow). Each infusion device had a preset delivery rate of 100 mL/hr. Either 48 or 50 units of each device were filled with 100 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride injection. Flow was measured in a 60-mL syringe set 100 cm above the infusion device. The volume infused was recorded over 60 minutes at 5-minute intervals. Of the six devices tested, Homepump demonstrated the least variability in flow. The mean percentage of initial volume infused at 60 minutes was 93.7% for the Homepump, 92.4% for the MedFlo, 91.9% for the SideKick, 88.7% for the ReadyMED, 87.3% for the Eclipse, and 83.4% for the Intermate. The Intermate was the only device with a mean overall infusion rate outside the manufacturer’s specifications of +/- 15%. The SideKick’s mean infusion rate exceeded the +/- 15% range during the first half of the infusion. None of six disposable infusion devices delivered 100% of the volume to be infused within 60 minutes. Of the devices tested, the Homepump demonstrated the least variability in flow and the most complete volume delivery.