title: Effect of two different syringes on syringe driver function.
abstract: A laboratory investigation into the effect of two different syringes on the performance of a syringe driver was undertaken in order to assess accuracy of delivery, occlusion-alarm delay time and the effect of incorrectly coding the device for the syringe in use. Results indicated that accuracy of delivery was of the order of -1%/h for both syringe types at an infusion rate of 5 ml/h. Clinically and statistically significant differences in the occlusion-to-alarm time were found between syringes and between infusion rates. At 99.9 ml/h lag time was about 30 seconds for both syringes, whereas at 5 ml/h this was 667 seconds for one syringe and 903 seconds for the other. Incorrect coding of the driver for the syringe in use, resulted in a significant change in the accuracy of delivery at an infusion rate of 5 ml/h. Similarly, incorrect coding resulted in changes in the occlusion-alarm time. These results carry significant pharmacological implications for the clinical situation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Johannesburg Hospital.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Clinton
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Morrell
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D013594:Syringes / Q000592:standards*