Pump Setup

(Topic Last Updated On: 05/05/2010)

The Pump Setup menu item on the Inventory menu launches the Pump Setup window, which is used for priming, emptying, cleaning, and calibrating automated dispensing pumps connected to dosing workstations. Up to two pumps can be attached to each workstation to dispense different types of liquid medication, such as Methadone Cherry and Methadone Sugar-Free. Calibration test functionality includes fields for testing different quantities of different amounts, and a field for recording the test results once a test is dispensed.

Field Descriptions

Pump Selection

For facilities using two pumps on the same workstation, this field dictates which pump is being controlled by this window. Available selections include only up to two pump names.

Pump Status

This field displays the current status of the pump. This status will appear as 'Pump Ready' in green until a command in the system prompts the pump to perform.

Cycle Time

This field displays the number of seconds the pump will cycle if the Empty or Prime buttons are pressed.

Amount (mgs)

This field displays the amount of medication in mgs to be dispensed to perform the test and can be overridden by the user, provided that the amount entered, when multiplied by the number of doses entered equals 100 mgs.

Dose(s)

This field displays the number of doses that will be dispensed to perform the test and can also be overridden by the user, provided that the number entered, when multiplied by the amount of mgs entered equals 100 mgs.

Command Buttons

Calibration

Pressing this button will bring up the 'Prepare for Calibration Test' window, shown in the screen shot below. Then clicking Ok on this screen begins dispensing the calibration amounts, as defined in the Amount and Dose(s) fields.

Clicking Ok on the 'Prepare for Calibration Test' window also brings up the 'Enter Actual mgs Pumped' window, shown below, for recording the results of your test.

Empty

Pressing this button will move liquid from the dispensing end of the tubing toward the source bottle end.

Prime

Pressing this button will move liquid from the source bottle end of the tubing toward the dispensing end.

Cancel

Pressing this button while the pump is dispensing will stop the pump. Pressing this button while the pump is stopped will close this window.

Procedures

How to Empty the Pump
1.) After making sure an appropriate receptacle is ready to catch the fluid being emptied, click on the Empty button to move the fluid from the dispensing end of the tubing to the bulk bottle end of the tubing. 2.) (Optional) Repeat Step 1 as many times as necessary to empty the pump tubing as much as possible.

How to Prime the Pump
1.) After making sure an appropriate receptacle is ready to catch the fluid being primed, click on the Prime button to move the fluid from the bulk bottle to the dispensing end of the tubing. 2.) (Optional) Repeat Step 1 as many times as necessary to fully prime the pump tubing with medication.

How to Clean the Pump
1.) Consult the user's guide for your facility's dispensing pump for information on appropriate cleaning agents and how often the pump should be cleaned. 2.) Once the pump tubing has been emptied, click on the Prime or Empty buttons to cycle distilled water, a distilled water/rubbing alcohol mixture, or other cleaning fluid through the tubing.

How to Calibrate the Pump
1.) Enter the 'Amount (mgs)' and quantity of 'dose(s)' in those fields as desired. The 'Amount' times the quantity of 'dose(s)' should equal 100 mgs. 2.) Click on the Calibration button. The 'Prepare for Calibration Test' message box will appear. 3.) After making sure your measuring device is ready to catch the fluid, click on the Ok button to dispense the calibration test dose(s). The system will now pump 100 mgs, in either one or multiple dose(s), then the 'Enter Actual mgs Pumped' message box will appear. 4.) Enter the amount of mgs that were pumped in the text field on the 'Enter Actual mgs Pumped' message box, then click on the Ok button.

Considerations

Pump Status

There are specific hardware scenarios that can result in this status displaying as 'Pump Busy' when really it is ready to pump. If this appears to be the case at your facility, try clicking on a command button anyway to see if the pump will begin to function, and then the status will change to the correct status. In these situations, It is possible that this status will display incorrectly each day, but only until a command on this window is pressed for the first time.

Cycle Time

This value is pulled from system preferences (setup at the time of Methasoft installation and training) and can be overridden by users directly on this screen, which is rarely necessary. Generally a cycle time of 15 seconds is adequate for emptying and priming in most facilities, depending on the length of pump tubing that is being used.

Calibration Tests - How Often? Which Fluid?

It is up to each facility to determine how often the pump's calibration should be tested. Pumps are calibrated prior to shipping by the manufacturer using far more technical and accurate techniques and equipment than available at most facilities. Some facilities never test the calibration unless inventory discrepancies arise. Others test it each morning. It is recommended that you discuss your pump's calibration and recommendations with your pump's manufacturer, or consult your pump's user guide for these guidelines.