title: Baxter elastomeric pumps: Feasibility of weight estimates.
abstract: Purpose Elastomeric pumps are used to infuse a 46-h fluorouracil protocol and patients are asked to visually inspect the pump daily. The pump has a variability of ±10% and there are additional patient variables that can increase this. The feasibility of weighing the pump rather than a visual inspection along with the secondary objective to confirm the pump's variability in real world conditions was undertaken. Methods Empty pumps were weighed using both pharmacy and kitchen scales. Pumps upon completion of the 46-h infusion were also weighed using both pharmacy and kitchen scales. Results The kitchen scale was as accurate as the pharmacy grade scale. Disconnected pumps showed the expected variability from using these infusor pumps along with a few showing greater variability likely due to patient variables. Conclusion Weighing pumps appears to be feasible both at the pharmacy and home level. Next steps would be to weigh pumps during the infusion to validate an alternate method to simple visual inspection for patients to confirm proper infusing of the pump at their home.
authors.affiliation: 1 Pharmacy Director, Cancer Services Alberta Health Services, Canada.
authors.forename: Carole R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.affiliation: 2 Heritage Youth Research Summer Program (HYRS), Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions (AIHS), Canada.
authors.forename: Mica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pabia
authors.affiliation: 3 Medical Oncologist/Clinical Pharmacologist, Cross Cancer Institute, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sawyer
authors.affiliation: 4 Medical Oncologist, Tom Baker Cancer Clinic, Canada.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D020724:Elastomers; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D011108:Polymers
chemical_list: D020724:Elastomers; D011108:Polymers; C036925:elastomeric polymer; D005472:Fluorouracil
keywords: Elastomeric infusor; feasibility; fluorouracil; weight