Quality & Patient Safety

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices reports potential problems with pain pump

Patient Safety Monitor Alert, July 29, 2009

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The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) warned of potential misuse of pain release balls in its July 16 ISMP Medication Alert! for Acute Care. Pain release balls are pumps that are commonly used for nonnarcotic pain relief delivered directly to the surgical site of a patient for up to five days after surgery. The ISMP says that some hospitals have reported problems with these devices. These include:

  • The medication reservoir emptying too rapidly
  • A lack of proper training for staff members
  • Pumps used without the involvement of the pharmacy
  • Pumps used with medications other than local anethetics

To read more about the warning, click here.



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