EN 
AR
ES
TR
RU
PT
RO
HU
BG
CS
NL
FR
DE
EL
IT
BE
GA
MS
AF
SV
LV
GD
TG
UZ
SU
TAThe terms "IV pump" and "infusion pump" are often used interchangeably, but they refer to slightly different concepts in medical settings:
IV Pump (Intravenous Pump)
Definition: Specifically designed for the administration of fluids, medications, and nutrients directly into a patient's bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) line.
Usage: Commonly used in hospitals for continuous or intermittent administration of medications, fluids, and blood products.
Examples: These include syringe pumps, volumetric pumps, and PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) pumps that are specifically designed for intravenous use.
Infusion Pump
Definition: A broader category that encompasses any device used to deliver fluids, including medications and nutrients, into a patient's body in controlled amounts. Infusion pumps can administer fluids through various routes, not limited to intravenous.
Usage: Infusion pumps can be used for IV administration, but they are also used for subcutaneous, epidural, and enteral routes of administration.
Examples: Besides IV pumps, infusion pumps include enteral pumps (for feeding tubes), insulin pumps (for subcutaneous insulin delivery), and PCA pumps (which can be used for both IV and epidural routes).
Key Differences
Scope
IV pumps are a subset of infusion pumps focused specifically on intravenous administration.
Infusion pumps cover a broader range of applications, including IV and other routes of administration.
Applications
IV pumps are mainly used for delivering fluids directly into veins.
Infusion pumps can be used for various routes, including subcutaneous, intrathecal, epidural, and enteral.
Examples of Use
IV pumps: Administering chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, saline, or blood products.
Infusion pumps: Administering insulin via an insulin pump, providing nutrition via an enteral pump, or delivering pain medication via an epidural pump.
Both types of pumps are essential in clinical settings for precise and controlled delivery of treatments, ensuring patient safety and therapeutic effectiveness.
