This result agrees with the few studies published on this topic in which the frequency of haemodynamic incidents related to vasoactive infusion pump changeovers varied from 5to38%8 % [2 7, 10, 11].
These findings are in agreement with a previous ICU study from the United Kingdom, showing more than 35% of adverse effects to patient blood pressure occur using three methods of epinephrine and norepinephrine infusion pump changeovers [ 7].
SIPs were designed to drive syringe pumps and changeovers automatically according to specific algorithms to standardize drug delivery and decrease the nurse workload, thereby reducing the risk of error and improving the quality of care.
The small volume of the syringes used in power infusion pumps requires frequent changeovers, which can lead to norepinephrine flow interruptions responsible for hemodynamic instability.
CVIP = changeover of vasoactive infusion pump; ICU = intensive care unit.
Hemodynamic instability following the changeover of vasoactive infusion pump (CVIP) is a common problem in the intensive care unit.
The changeover between vasoactive drug infusion pumps (CVIP) can induce a brief change in the drug flow rate manifesting as hemodynamic instability [7].
At this point, we decided to include all subsequent patients in the Smart Infusion Pump group until the required number of changeovers was reached.
