The sigma spectrum has just come onto my radar. How do you guys like them?
I have used this pump for approximately 2 years. They're actually pretty easy to work with though they're a single channel setup. If you need to run multiple drips, you'll need multiple pumps. Most pumps that are not "rapid infusers" will max out at 999 mL/hr and these are no exception. You do have to use Baxter infusion drip sets as they have a "key" that also functions as a clamp. I do like the fact that programming the pump is pretty easy and fairly intuitive. The system pretty much guides you through the process. One advantage of this system is that because of the key/clamp design, you can keep the length of tubing between bag and pump reasonably short and this allows for more tubing length exiting the pump and this can lead to increased comfort for the patient. Loading the tubing is pretty simple, actually, but it does involve the key/clamp setup and that's why you're tied to the Baxter drip sets, but the process of loading the tubing keeps the patient from having a free-flowing line once you start actually loading the line into the pump.
I would imagine that you could have this pump specifically programmed to do any typical drip you'd use in the ambulance so you could just turn it on, select the medication, enter any required info, and the pump can do the math (for those weight-based meds...) for you. If you're considering using this for interfacility transports, you should consider doing one of two things: have 2 or 3 of these pumps available in the IFT truck OR get a couple of multiple channel pumps. What may also help you make your decision easier is to poll the local hospitals and find out what pumps they use and, in particular, what drip sets they use with their pumps and look at getting a pump that is compatible with the majority of the drip sets that are in use and get a pump that is also compatible.
One of the more irritating things about most pumps is that they're not generally compatible with drip sets that aren't "their" brand. All the drip sets in my ER are all compatible with the pump we use throughout the same hospital system in our region. Unfortunately not all hospitals in this region use the same drip sets nor the same pumps so when we send patients somewhere else, their drip sets can change at least a couple of times, once for transport and again at the destination.
As long as you're willing to put up with having to have multiple pumps for multiple drips, I would recommend this pump. The form factor is pretty small so you can get multiple pumps to fit on most ambulance gurney IV poles.
I hope this helps!
