Care of the Infusor
Drug Reservoir Balloon –holds the medication. When filled, the balloon pushes the drug out to the delivery tubing and through to the PICC line.
About the infusor
The infusor is a lightweight, disposable device containing the antibiotic. It is used to give slow continuous medication infusion into your blood stream through a PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter).
The medication is contained in a balloon reservoir, inside a casing. When filled with the medication, the balloon deflates and slowly pushes the medication through the PICC at a fixed rate. As this happens, the balloon will gradually become smaller.
Connector –attaches the infusor to your PICC
Winged Cap
Flow restrictorcontrol how fast your medication is given
Delivery Tubing
This treatment can be done at home, allowing you to continue with your daily activities rather than staying in the hospital for your treatment.
There are some risks to this method of treatment. The infusor can occasionally stop working or will empty sooner than anticipated. These problems do not happen often but, if they do occur, please contact us.
Checking the progress of your infusor
The infusor works slowly so the balloon will appear to be shrinking over several hours. The flow rate can be affected by temperature around the infusor and height of the infusor when you are wearing it.
This is how the balloon will deflate over time.
Volume indicator when the infusor is full
Volume indicator when the infusor is approximately half-way through infusion
Source: Baxter
Volume indicator when the infusor is empty. As the balloon empties, it will be deflated and small empty indicator bumps will appear on it.
Things to note when using the infusor
Height of infusor
• It is important to maintain the infusor at the same level as your catheter/port
Temperature
• Keep the infusor cool and dry, away from direct sunlight and heat
When you are showering
• Put the infusor into a plastic bag.
• Hang the infusor on the shower head or tap, or somewhere around the same height as your catheter/port
When you are sleeping
• Place the infusor on the bedside table, or on top of the bed cover/ blanket
• Do not place the infusor on the floor or underneath the bed cover/ blanket
When you are exercising or working
• Avoid vigorous exercise and excessive movement such as lifting up the arms or carrying heavy items
If the infusor leaks or bursts
• Close the clamp on your catheter (PICC).
• Disconnect the infusor and replace the winged cap at the end of the infusor.
• Notify your doctor or nurse immediately.
• If the medication comes in contact with your skin, wash the affected area with soap and water immediately.
• Keep the faulty infusor in a plastic bag and take note of the infusor’s code number. Return it to the nurse on your next hospital visit.
If the medication does not infuse/flow
• Remember your infusor flows very slowly, so make sure you have waited long enough.
• Check that your PICC line is unclamped, with no kinks in the line.
• Check the infusor every few hours to make sure the balloon is getting smaller.
• If the medication is not flowing or if the balloon is not getting smaller after a period of time (after 3-4 hours), contact the nurse immediately.
For OPAT patients
For queries during office hours: 6602 3543
Precautions to take:
Unable to remove the winged cap
• If the cap is difficult to remove, you may try to loosen the cap with a pair of non-sharp forceps wrapped around a piece of sterile gauze.
• If this does not loosen the cap, please keep the faulty infusor and take note of the infusor’s code number. Return it to the OPAT nurse at your next appointment.
Storing of the infusor
• You may keep the infusor either at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Date/Time
How to store in the refrigerator?
• Clean the inside of the refrigerator before putting the infusor inside.
• Make sure the infusor is placed in its individual plastic carrier/ pouch.
• Keep away from food.
• Ensure that the infusors are not touching each other so that air can circulate around them.
• Remove your infusor from the refrigerator 1-2 hours before using.
• Allow the infusor to warm up to room temperature before use.
Reports
For oncology patients
For queries during office hours: 9724 1642
Precautions to take:
Please store at room temperature:
• Choose a clean, cool, dry place.
• Away from direct sunlight and heat.
• Keep out of reach from children.
• Place on a safe area where your infusor will not get damaged.
Discoloured or floating matter
• It should not be used if the solution is not clear or contains floating matter.
• Please keep the faulty infusor and take note of the infusor’s code number.
• Return it to the nurse at your next appointment.
Date/Time Reports
Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities of the National Healthcare Group in the north of Singapore. It comprises Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun Community Hospital and community extensions such as Admiralty Medical Centre and Wellness Kampung. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg