Q: Looking for advice on purchasing new syringe pumps. What do you like and why?
A: We have Smiths Medical Medfusion 3500 units and they work great. Never had a complaint about clinical performance. Only work orders are derived from them being drop-tested from the top of the anesthesia machine.
A: We have 34 of these pumps and have reached the point where we usually have one out for depot repair because of a “Supercap Post” error. This mandates replacement of the main board and costs about $400. The oldest of these are about six years old. The problem is that these are about the best stand-alone syringe pumps out there. I miss the InfusOR pumps; they were just about bulletproof.
A: Mainly, we use the Alaris syringe pump. Our NICU uses some of the Medfusion 3500 and our critical transport crews use the BBraun Perfusor Space pumps. All of them work well for us.
A: I agree about the InfusOR pump. But we are needing to replace ours for integration into the EMR.
A: If they have InfusOR pumps that are broken, we can still repair them. Sadly there is no direct replacement for the pump. We do carry the Baxter AS50 pump and do plan on supporting it for many years to come. We have a complete supply of parts for this pump and we offer a full one-year warranty with the purchase of the pump. I have been repairing the Baxter syringe pump line for over 25 years.
A: Probably have to go with Alaris then, but beware that some of their 8100s will go end of life very soon.
A: I thought it was the 8015 PCs that were going end of life in 2019. I was under the impression that the LVPs, Syringe, ETCO2s and PCAs were still good.
A: We have been using the Alaris system for the last 10 years plus. Cost of ownership might be a little high because the units have multiple connection points that can be broken easily. They do use a laptop style battery which is expensive, but the staff loves these units. It is really hard to over medicate a patient because of the guard rails drug software. (I think that’s the name.) The pharmacy can push a new drug chart through the wireless connection. You can take one brain and connect 4 different modules to it in any combination that is required such as IV, Syringe, IV and an enclosed syringe style unit for pain management. In the long run, I believe it is the best option out there. They have been here a long time so if someone knows of a latest and greatest thing coming out I sure would like to hear about it.
Q: Can anyone validate the 8015 end of life in 2019?
A: I should have been more specific, for that I apologize. There is a next generation 8015 that is coming out that has a bigger screen and the card will now be internal. I am trying to find the notice we received to let us know the units we purchased in 2009 would be end of life in 2019, but I am not having any luck finding them. I also have not found anything on the Internet as of yet, when I do I will post it. Sorry for any confusion.
A: The Alaris PC Unit model 8015 4.7-inch LCD will go end of support Jan 1, 2019.
A: I received an EOL software announcement from BD (08.01.2017) that posted an end of support for the 8015 as of Jan 1, 2019. It was followed by an announcement of an upcoming major software version change (v9.33). It would be my guess that a new hardware option is also coming soon.
Q: I am looking for a service manual or any information you can give me on a 5415R centrifuge made by Eppendorf. I think I need to change the motor, but I am struggling to get inside the device. Any advice?
A: I’d give Ozark Biomedical a call. They know just about everything about just about every centrifuge out there. I am not affiliated with Ozark – just like to give credit where credit is due.
A: I concur. Ozark Biomedical has helped several TechNation Listserv users over the years. I always hear good things about them.
A: I also concur with the Ozark Biomedical suggestion. Here is a link to a service manual to a Eppendorf 5415D centrifuge if it helps: http://photos.labwrench.com/equipmentManuals/2416-8571.pdf
A: Ozark guys are the best in the business for centrifuges.
THE SHOP TALK article is compiled from TechNation’s ListServ and MedWrench.com. Go to www.1TechNation.com/Listserv or www.MedWrench.com/qa to find out how you can join and be part of the discussion.
