Local Infusion Pain Management Pump

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A local infusion pain management pump is a device that gives constant medicine for 2 to 5 days. You will get medicine called local anesthetic through the pump. The device pumps medicine through the catheter and into your body where you need it. Caregivers will place a catheter (tube) before or after you have surgery. It may be placed near your surgery site.
  
  
• The pump system includes a round plastic container in the shape of a ball. The container is filled with medicine through a port (opening with a cap) at the top. The pump attaches to your clothing, or it may have a special carrying case. Tubing comes out of the pump. A clamp closes off the tubing if needed. A filter in the tubing gets rid of air. A device in the tubing controls the amount of medicine you get. The tubing may have an additional device on it that can give you extra medicine (called a bolus) when you need it. This is done by pressing a button on the device.
  
  
• You may have less pain if you get medicine through the pump. You may not need to take additional pain pills, get shots, or get medicine through an IV (into a vein). There is less risk of side effects or complications from the medicine. You may be able to return to your usual activities because your pain is managed. The tubing of your pump may be antimicrobial. This means it is made to kill germs and help prevent infection.

INSTRUCTIONS:

How to care for the pump at home:

• Make sure the clamp is open.
  
  
• Attach the pump to your clothing as directed.
  
  
• Keep the filter dry and open. Do not get soap on the filter. This can cause it to leak medicine. Do not put tape over the filter.
  
  
• Do not try to change the settings on your pump. Your pump has the right amount of medicine for you. Do not squeeze the pump, even if you think you are not getting enough medicine. If you have questions about how much medicine you are getting, call your caregiver.
  
  
• Do not tightly wrap elastic bandages near where the catheter goes into your body. Tight wraps could stop or decrease the flow of medicine.
  
  
• Do not put heat or ice packs onto your body near the flow controller.
  
  
• Do not get the pump or the catheter site wet. Ask your caregiver how to keep the area dry when you bathe.

How to remove the catheter:

Your caregiver will tell you if you can remove the catheter at home. Remove it as soon as possible after the pump is empty. The catheter may get harder to remove as time passes. Follow these steps to remove the catheter:

• Make sure the pump is empty. As you get the medicine, the pump will get smaller and wrinkled. When the pump is empty, the outer part will become flat. You will be able to feel a hard tube in the center of the pump.
  
  
• Uncover the area. Remove the bandage over the catheter. Loosen the medical tape that holds the tubing to your skin.
  
  
• Remove the catheter. Hold the catheter where it goes into your skin. Pull the catheter out slowly and gently. If the catheter is hard to pull out or stretches, stop pulling. Do not pull harder or cut the catheter. If it does not come out easily, call your caregiver and follow his directions for removing it. You may need to see your caregiver to get help removing the catheter.
  
  
• Look for a black mark at the end of the catheter. If you do not see a black mark, or it looks like the catheter is broken, call your caregiver. Keep the catheter to show him.
  
  
• If you see a black mark after the catheter has come out, throw it away as directed by your caregiver. Cover the area with a new bandage.

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider as directed:

Write down any questions you have so you remember to ask them in your follow-up visits.

Call your primary healthcare provider if:

• You have questions about how to use the pump.
  
  
• Your pain gets worse even with the medicine.
  
  
• The place where the catheter goes into your body is red or warm. Blood or pus may come out. The area may also be swollen.
  
  
• You have a metal taste in your mouth.
  
  
• You give yourself a bolus and the button does not pop up after 30 minutes.
  
  
• Caregivers have told you to remove the catheter, but it will not come out easily.
  
  
• You see that there is no black mark on the end of the catheter after you remove it.

Return to the emergency department if:

• There is a large bruise around the area where the catheter goes into your body. The area is painful.
  
  
• You feel dizzy, or your eyesight is blurry.
  
  
• You have ringing or buzzing in your ears.
  
  
• Your mouth, fingers, or toes are numb or tingling.
  
  
• You become more tired than usual, or you are confused.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.