Kim DeSanctis, RN, Jennifer Spencer, RN, and Megan Smith, RN, spend time training on the new “smart” IV pumps at Stephens Memorial Hospital.

Hospital installs ‘smart’ intravenous pumps

NORWAY – Stephens Memorial Hospital has installed a new medication safety system developed by Hospira, called the Plum A. The system, also called a “smart” pump, features a software program that provides computerized decision support to nurses and physicians at the patient’s bedside.

“What this new technology does is to put a smart drug library into the infusion pump, so that based on which drug the nurses tells the pump she is about to administer, the pump alerts her if she inadvertently exceeds a pre-established minimum or maximum dosing allowance for the medication,” said Pat Cook, senior vice president, clinical services.

Stephens Memorial Hospital is an affiliate of Western Maine Health, which is part of the Maine Health family. Visit Western Maine Health on the Internet at www.wmhcc.org.