Spring-infusors: How a simple and small solution can create king-sized complexity.
Pamela Laird, Charlotte Burr, Fenella J Gill and 1 others
PMID 36166454WHAT IT FOUND
Families preferred spring-infusors for mobility and silence, but inconsistent nurse knowledge, supply shortages, and safety rumours hindered use.
Centralized device management and staff training are required to overcome these barriers.
Key findings
01Families preferred spring-infusors over electronic pumps due to increased mobility, autonomy, and lack of alarm noise.
02Nurses reported variable knowledge of the device, with many unaware of cleaning protocols or policies, leading to inconsistent use.
03Sub-optimal use was driven by supply shortages, lack of centralized quality control, and persistent safety rumours despite investigations finding concerns unjustified.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Single-site study at one children's hospital, limiting generalizability to other settings. Small sample of patient and parent participants (9 children, 6 parents). Relied on self-reported attitudes and experiences rather than observed clinical outcomes or adherence data.
Declared interests
The authors declared no competing interests. The research was funded by a grant from the Western Australian Department of Health administered through Fresh Start.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the preference for spring-infusors as evidence that they are clinically superior or safer than electronic pumps. The study reports perceptions and logistical barriers, not comparative efficacy or safety outcomes. The 'safety' concerns mentioned were largely rumours, but the lack of alarms requires careful nursing workflow adjustments to prevent line occlusion.