Effect of environmental conditions on performance of elastomeric pumps

With the advent of ambulatory infusion devices, home-based chemotherapy services are feasible for both adult and pediatric populations. Home chemotherapy not only reduces the cost of treatment, it also optimizes the pharmacy services and improves patients’ quality of life.1,2 Studies have shown that home chemotherapy is safe, effective, and well received by patients and carers.3 The success of home chemotherapy, when delivered by elastomeric pumps, depends on the accuracy and reliability of the devices. Departures from expected infusion times could result in scheduling discrepancies for home health services as well as the outpatient clinic department and may contribute to a less-effective treatment or a greater risk of adverse effects.4 The potential for infusion discrepancies is illustrated by the study of Remerand et al.,5 who reported that elastomeric pumps correctly connected to catheters for the administration of regional anesthesia began infusions late or failed to deliver infusions at all in 20.5% of 430 cases. They also reported that in vivo flow rates differed from in vitro rates in 40% of the cases.