Syringe drivers are often required to provide medicines for symptom management in patients who are terminally ill. They allow continuous subcutaneous administration of medicines to enable effective symptom control when medicines given by other routes are inappropriate or no longer effective. With guidance and support from the local hospice or district nursing services, General Practitioners can arrange a syringe driver infusion for a patient in their home or in a residential care facility, prescribe and monitor the appropriate mix of medicines and manage breakthrough symptoms. What is a syringe driver? A syringe driver is a small, portable, battery operated device that administers medicines subcutaneously over a selected time period, usually 24 hours. Medicines are drawn up into a syringe that is then attached to the driver, which is set to move the plunger of the syringe forward at an accurately controlled rate. Syringe drivers can be used either short-term or long-term, for patients who are ambulatory and those who are confined to bed. Syringe drivers can be placed into a carry bag or pouch when a patient is mobile or be tucked under a pillow if the patient is bed-bound. The Niki T34 is used in a community setting The lockable, battery operated, Niki T34 syringe driver is the current device available in New Zealand for the continuous subcutaneous administration of medicines in a community setting. The Graseby syringe driver has been gradually phased out of use as it was not tamper-proof. Concerns were also raised by the Health and Disability Commissioner after a number of cases occurred due to errors with syringe driver use.1 As a result, a recommendation was made that there be consistency in the type of syringe driver used throughout New Zealand. Initially the preferred replacement option was the AD Ambulatory Syringe Driver, however, the company involved was.
See also: End of Life Care written for patients Subcutaneous ( SC) drug infusion by portable syringe driver has had a significant impact on pain management.[1] It allows the continuous delivery of a range of therapies to aid patient comfort. It is most frequently used in palliative care (particularly cancer care bypassing problems such as: Dysphagia Inability to take medication orally Weakness Pain is experienced by most patients with advanced cancer. Severe pain is experienced by 66% of people with cancer at some point in their illness.[2] Sublingual administration is not always easy if the mouth is dry, co-ordination is poor or cognitive function is impaired. Rectal administration can be a challenge for carers both physically and emotionally. A syringe driver is only an alternative method of administering medication. It does not produce more effective analgesia than the oral route unless the patient cannot use oral medication, or has serious compliance problems. It should not be routinely used as a 'medical last rite' if there is no specific indication for medication. Other common indications for using a syringe driver in palliative care include the treatment of nausea and vomiting, excessive respiratory secretions, and agitation or restlessness. Although GPs provide the majority of palliative care services in the UK, there are often problems with symptom control and communication. See the separate articles on Palliative Care, Looking after People with Cancer and End of Life Care. Setting up the syringe driver They are used primarily when patients are no longer able to take medicines by mouth. This may be because of persistent nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, weakness or coma. Local palliative care guidelines should always be followed when mixing drugs in a syringe driver: A syringe driver takes 3-4 hours to establish a steady state drug level in plasma. If the patient is in pain.
Share Share Follow @ Health Tap Embed Dr. Gurmukh Singh Board Certified, Pathology 44 years in practice 96 M people helped Is it possible that a doctor prescribe morphine for a cancer patient? Dr. Gurmukh Singh Board Certified, Pathology 44 years in practice 96 M people helped Pain relief: Morphine is one of the treatments for pain relief, but not for cancer per se. A doctor can prescribe morphine to a patient with pain. Read more Get help from a doctor now › Dr. Steven Seres Board Certified 16 years in practice 469 K people helped Get help from a real doctor now Dr. Steven Seres Board Certified 16 years in practice 469 K people helped Continue Dr. Mark Pack Syringe ( Definition) A syringe is a simple pump consisting of a plunger that can be pulled and pushed along inside a cylindrical tube allowing the syringe to take in and expel a liquid or gas through an orifice at the open end of the tube. The open end of the syringe may be fitted with a needle for medical or dental use. Read more Dr. Bates Moses Board Certified, Palliative Care 17 years in practice 129 K people helped What are the disadvantages and advantages to terminal cancer patients using morphine to manage pain? Dr. Bates Moses Board Certified, Palliative Care 17 years in practice 129 K people helped Many: Every patient responds to different opioids differently. Opioids also treat different types of pain with various levels of success, so would check with his/her doctor to see how well might work for the type of pain being treated (bone pain, visceral pain, neuropathic pain, etc.). Common pros are excellent pain relief for common pain syndromes; cons: constipation, temporary nausea, and more. Read more Get help from a doctor now › Dr. Steven Seres Board Certified 16 years in practice 469 K people helped Get help from a real doctor now Dr. Steven Seres Board Certified 16 years in practice 469 K people helped.
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