Features and Benefits of the Alaris Pump Modules and PCU

They say, “Mistakes don’t define you, they refine you.” The saying perfectly describes what has been happening lately to the Alaris pump manufacturer, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD).

Because of the several recalls for its Alaris Infusion pumps in the past years, the BD Alaris system has borne the brunt of widespread criticism. The recalls were mainly due to numerous system errors, use-related issues, and software errors.

If you are still stuck at BD Alaris’ recall struggles, you should know that the manufacturer has already redeemed itself.

By securing a renewed FDA 510(k) clearance for their updated BD Alaris™ Infusion System in July 2023, BD has proven to the medical world that a fourth place in the global ranking of the leading infusion pump market players and a first place in the US market are well deserved.

The renewed FDA clearance covers updated hardware, software, and cybersecurity for its PCU and the Alaris pumps, among other aspects. For the BD’s Infusion pump customers, this clearance underlines the manufacturer’s commitment to helping medical care teams provide the best, safest, and most reliable infusion care.

So, exactly how does the Alaris infusion system work to make it stand out, and what are the core features and benefits of the Alaris pump modules? That’s what you’ll find out in the rest of the article.

The one quality the manufacturer claims sets aside the BD Alaris IV pump from the rest is that it is the only comprehensive and integrated or modular infusion system in the US.

The system features Large Infusion Pumps (LVP), syringe pumps, and Patient-controlled Analgesia (PCA) pumps that can work independently or be connected at a single Patient Care Unit (PCU), thanks to the Guardrails Suite MX Safety software. This modular integration enhances controlled and accurate infusion delivery and patient safety.

For healthcare personnel, a modular system means smooth-running workflow and single-point patient data management for all acute care sections. It also means that healthcare personnel can easily mitigate infusion care risks at a common point for the entire workflow.

Each module in the Alaris infusion system has smart features that explain its effective use in infusion care.

Let’s look at the features and benefits of those modules one by one.

The Alaris 8015 infusion pump Point of Care Unit is the heart of the Alaris infusion system. It is the central place where nurses and clinicians can connect large-volume infusion pumps, patient-controlled analgesia pumps, syringe pumps, and optional respiratory monitoring modules to create a single point of infusion therapy control and management.

The system is effectively used in adult, pediatrician, and neonatal care units.

Key Features and Benefits:

The Alaris 8100 infusion pump module is a large-volume infusion pump used to infuse fluids, drugs, blood, and blood products to neonates, pediatric, and adult patients.

The pump can be easily attached to the Alaris PCU. Clinicians can attach up to four Alaris 8100 infusion pumps to the Alaris 8015 PCU, allowing four infusions to run simultaneously. They can also mount the pump on an IV clamp pole in different care settings.

The Alaris 8100 infusion pump module uses a designated BD Alaris pump infusion set for both continuous and intermittent deliveries. Besides, the pump allows different administration modes, such as intravenous (IV) epidural, subcutaneous, and intra-arterial (IA).

Key Features and Benefits:

The BD manufacturer created the Alaris 8110 syringe module to deliver fluids, drugs, blood, and blood products to all kinds of patients, including adults, neonates, and pediatric patients.

Alaris 8110 is integrated with the Alaris 8015 PCU and connects to the BD Alaris Guardrails Suite MX software to deliver continuous and intermittent infusions with utmost precision and accuracy.

Key Features and Benefits:

The Alaris PCA module uses a syringe functionality to deliver analgesics to adults, neonates, and pediatric patients.

The module realizes different types of infusions, including loading and bolus doses, primary continuous infusions, PCA dose-only infusions, or a combination of the last two.

Alaris 8120 can be used independently or connected to the Alaris 8015 PCU.

Key features and benefits:

As you can tell, each of the BD Alaris IV pump modules has its strengths. These become more pronounced when each single infusion pump module is connected to the Alaris PCU, a common point of infusion therapy control and management for greater infusion care efficiency and patient safety.

If you choose the BD Alaris IV pumps for your clinic or healthcare facility, some of the questions you want answered are related to the Alaris infusion pump price and the Alaris infusion pump training. Let’s answer those for you in this FAQ section.

The Alaris infusion pump price varies widely depending on several factors, including whether they are new, used, or refurbished, if you are leasing, renting, or buying, and what dealer you are getting it from. A search through IV pump Alaris online suppliers suggests you will pay a little less than $1,000 or a little over $3,000 for IV pumps Alaris, depending on the mentioned factors.

To make their customer’s experience of the Alaris pump module easy, BD has a comprehensive Alaris IV pump manual with dedicated sections on general setup and operation, programming, and other details on using the IV pump Alaris. Besides, the manufacturer has vast Alaris infusion pump training resources, including videos and ongoing training courses, which you can access through the “Knowledge Center” tab on their website.

The Alaris pump is one of the infusion pump brands common in hospitals and healthcare facilities in the US and other parts of the globe.

The infusion pump module is designed for use in different care settings to deliver infusion therapies to adults, neonates, and pediatric patients.

With its advanced software and hardware technology, the BD Alaris infusion system proves to be a user-friendly infusion system that is easy to use, helping nurses and clinicians confidently and safely deliver first-class infusion care to patients.