American healthcare is seeing another massive shift. Nowhere is this more clear than the state of the IV infusion pump.

A useful tool that eases stress on behalf of both the patient and nurse, the IV infusion pump is designed with the express purpose of streamlining the medical process. Healthcare is in dire need of not just being more accessible, but cheaper, and installing superior hospital equipment is one such way of getting over this hill. This includes high-quality equipment rentals for struggling clinics and quality infusion systems for locations that experience a higher-than-average volume of activity.

Can a single medical equipment rental completely transform how a hospital functions from the ground up?

Ongoing studies are provided to healthcare professionals to give them a better idea as what to expect in these unpredictable times. Technology has made it easier to provide steady care to millions every year, but only if that technology is updated and maintained carefully. A report provided by the American Society Of Health System Pharmacists revealed back in 2013 as many as 73% of hospitals were using smart infusion pumps. Compare this back to 2007, where that figure was much lower at 45%. The IV infusion pump is only expected to increase in usage as its benefits become better known.

Infusion pumps are not a new creation. These have been in use as early as the 1960’s, though recent years have seen them surge in popularity for their cost-saving measures and highly effective nature. The global infusion pump market has exceeded expectations these past few years and will continue to grow rapidly for the foreseeable future. To this day intravenous therapy is still the fastest way to deliver any form of fluid or medication. IV fluid is generally saline with 0.9% sodium chloride. Due to the stressful nature of the medical industry any technology that can provide extra convenience gives doctors an edge.

The two basic classes of infusion pumps are large volume pumps, which provide nutrient solutions large enough to feed a patient, and small volume pumps for hormones or medication. No matter which one is used, the convenience provided to the hospital or clinic will be irreplaceable. The two ways of regulating both the amount and rate of fluids given to the patient are through manual distribution and a pump, the latter of which is widely considered to be a superior option for the medical staff. This is due to the IV infusion pump being able to store previous information and create a superior workflow.

Less time spent double-checking and tweaking the technology at hand is more time that can be spent attending to patients and helping them recover as quickly as possible. Back in 2013 the average cost of a single day in the hospital was nearly $4,000. IV pumps give both medical staff and patients the ability to receive essential care while cutting into the time and money spent. The average hospital is thought to either own or rent over 35,000 SKUs of equipment at any one point in time. What does this mean for the future of American healthcare?

The IV infusion pump is convenient, accurate and incredibly flexible. It offers nurses the ability to store useful information concerning their patient and reduces the amount of time they need to spend manually changing doses. It provides patients a more seamless medical experience when they are already facing the very real stress of being in the hospital. The United States is facing a rapidly aging population that will require the aid of smart pumps in the near future, with more than 10,000 people reaching retirement age every single day. Creating a better clinic is as simple as installing better technology.

The IV infusion pump doesn’t hold all the answers, but it does hold the distinction of making American healthcare better by the day.