Medicine

Patient information for Translation

The Syringe Driver

A syringe driver is a small portable battery operated pump which administers medication just under the skin. The medication is then absorbed directly into the body. The pump runs for 24 hours a day and so avoids the need for repeated injections. It needs to be changed once every 24 hours. It will be checked regularly to make sure that it’s working properly.

A syringe driver consists of:

• The device itself
• A syringe with the medication
• Tubing with a soft, thin plastic needle at the end. The needle is inserted just under the skin and once in, cannot be felt
• A plastic locked box may also be used

Why do I need one?

Sometimes it is easier to give medication this way because:

• you find it difficult to swallow tablets or liquids
• your symptoms cannot be managed with tablets or injections
• you're vomiting or feel sick and are not able to keep your tablets down
• your body cannot absorb medicines properly.
•  

Syringe drivers are often used to give medicines to treat:

• pain
• feeling sick and vomiting
• seizures (fits)
• agitation
• having too much fluid in the lungs or throat (excess respiratory secretions)
• being short of breath (breathlessness).

It is common for there to be more than one medication in the syringe at a time but top up doses can also be given if required. Medicines can cause side effects. It's a good idea to check what to expect with your doctor or nurse before taking them.

The length of time a syringe driver is required for is individual to each patient

Dos and don’ts

It's important to:

• keep the syringe driver and skin around the tube dry. A waterproof dressing is applied over the needle site
• let your nurse know if your skin is sore or irritated
• take extra care when washing and dressing to make sure the tube is not pulled out

The syringe driver should not be exposed to extremes of heat so avoid placing it next to a heat pad, electric blanket, or hot water bottle. Getting too warm may affect not only the functioning of the pump but also the medication in the syringe.

Troubleshooting

The syringe driver is a very reliable machine. The motor will whirr every few moments, this is normal.

Contact the nurse if the alarm sounds. Please do not interfere with the tube or the pump or press the buttons on the control panel.

The alarm will go off if there is a problem with the syringe driver. Let your nurse know so s/he can come and check it. An alarm might just mean it needs a new battery or blockages or leaks have been detected. Blockages can happen if you accidentally lie on one of the tubes, for example. Inform your nurse as soon as possible.

Common worries

Some people worry that having a syringe driver means they will die very soon. This is not necessarily true. Syringe drivers can be used at any stage of your illness. Some people just use them for a short time to manage their symptoms

Although syringe drivers can be useful at different times, they are often used in the last few days and weeks of a person's life. When someone is close to death, they often stop being able to swallow medicines, or their body stops being able to absorb them properly. A syringe driver is often the best way to give patients medicines to help them feel more comfortable. Some people worry that having a syringe driver can make them die sooner. There is no evidence for this.

Going home with a syringe driver

If you need to be discharged home from hospital with a syringe driver, you will leave with the necessary medicines and equipment and a hospital issued syringe driver. You will be referred to your local district nurse who will visit you at home each day to change the syringe.

The hospital syringe driver will need to be swapped for a community issued one by the district nurse. The hospital syringe driver will then need to be sent back to the hospital using the self-addressed Jiffy bag provided so that it is available for other patients in the hospital.

If you have any problems with the syringe driver once you are at home, please contact your district nurse or GP.

Large print and other languages
This information can be made available in alternative formats, such as easy read or large print, and may be available in alternative languages, upon request. For more information, speak to your clinical team.
 

এই তথ্যগুলো সহজে পড়া যায় অথবা বৃহৎ প্রিন্টের মত বিকল্প ফরম্যাটে পাওয়া যাবে, এবং অনুরোধে অন্য ভাষায়ও পাওয়া যেতে পারে। আরো তথ্যের জন্য আপনার ক্লিনিক্যাল টিমের সাথে কথা বলুন।

Na żądanie te informacje mogą zostać udostępnione w innych formatach, takich jak zapis większą czcionką lub łatwą do czytania, a także w innych językach. Aby uzyskać więcej informacji, porozmawiaj ze swoim zespołem specjalistów.

Macluumaadkaan waxaa loo heli karaa qaab kale, sida ugu akhrinta ugu fudud, ama far waa weyn, waxana laga yabaa in lagu heli luuqaado Kale, haddii la codsado. Wixii macluumaad dheeraad ah, kala hadal kooxda xarunta caafimaadka.

Bu bilgi, kolay okunurluk veya büyük baskılar gibi alternatif biçimlerde sunulabilir, ve talep üzerine Alternatif Dillerde sunulabilir. Daha fazla bilgi için klinik ekibinizle irtibata geçin.

یہ معلومات متبادل فارمیٹس میں دستیاب کی جا سکتی ہیں، جیسا کہ پڑھنے میں آسان یا بڑا پرنٹ  اور درخواست پر متبادل زبانوں میں بھی دستیاب ہو سکتی ہیں۔ مزید معلومات کے لیے، اپنی کلینکل ٹیم سے بات کریں'۔

Tell us what you think

Tweet us @NHSBartsHealth
Talk to us via facebook.com/bartshealth
Leave feedback on NHS Choices www.nhs.uk

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Please contact us if you need general information or advice about Trust services: www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/pals

Reference: BH/PIN/881

Publication date: November 2022

All our patient information leaflets are reviewed every three years.

©Barts Health NHS Trust

Switchboard: 020 7377 7000

www.bartshealth.nhs.uk