January 1994
·
12 Reads
Free-flow can occur in any infusion system if users do not take appropriate measures to prevent it. The extent of free-flow that can occur in a syringe administration is limited by the volume of the syringe used, but could have irreversible consequences depending on the drug infused. In a large volume infusion, be it gravity-fed or controlled by a pump, large volumes of fluid could be dumped in a free-flow incident. Some manufacturers of large volume (volumetric) pumps are attempting to address this issue by the introduction of free-flow prevention mechanisms. This paper questions whether these mechanisms actually improve patient safety.