title: Nursing care of patients with implanted pumps.
abstract: The implantable pump systems are totally implantable drug delivery systems designed for long-term infusion therapy. These systems have made it possible to maintain the regional delivery of cytotoxic agents and analgesics in a relatively safe and convenient manner for the patient. Regular maintenance is required. The nurse plays a key role in maintaining implantable pump systems, and he or she must have a thorough understanding of the systems and their various applications. Although these systems are complex, the discomfort and restrictions imposed on the patient by their use are minimal. The required maintenance is infrequent and simple enough to allow for greater mobility and freedom from hospitalization for the patient.
authors.affiliation: Patient Services, Bethesda Hospitals, Inc, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000075202:Contraindications; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000379:methods*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic