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What is a subcutaneous infusion device?
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• It is a very reliable, battery powered, portable pump.
• Sometimes these devices are called a driver or a pump.
The term ‘driver’ will generally be used in this document.
• They are used to deliver medications at a steady rate
under the skin, usually over 24 hours.
• They are simple machines to help keep pain and other
symptoms under control without the need for constant
injections.
•
There are many different types of these devices
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but they all do the same thing.
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Why do I need one?
•
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You may be having diflculty swallowing
your medicines.
•
Or you may have been vomiting and not able to
take your tablets.
•
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Giving medications under the skin means they are
absorbed into your system to help control your symptoms.
•
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It’s just another way for you to have medications to keep you as
comfortable as possible.
•
An infusion simply means the medication is going
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into the body.
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A subcutaneous infusion means the medications
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are delivered just under the skin to be absorbed
by the body.
•
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How does it work?
•
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The infusion device very slowly pumps the
medication through a small needle (known as a
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cannula) into the space just under the skin.
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