The following guidelines acknowledge that subtle changes in clinical practice may occur between hospital, hospice and community practice and endeavour to promote safe and consistent methods of practice, based on collaborative experience around the West Midlands Region.
At the time of writing it is assumed that all palliative care teams have phased out the use of Graseby syringe driver/pumps in accordance with NPSA Alert Dec 2010. The guidance, therefore focuses on the use of McKinley T34 devices
The syringe driver/pump is a small portable battery-driven infusion pump, used to deliver medication as a continuous sub-cutaneous infusion (CSCI) usually over 24 hours. It can be used when other routes (e.g. oral, buccal, rectal, transdermal) are unsuitable.