Background and Identification
Baxter International Inc. is an American multinational healthcare company that focuses on products to treat hemophilia, kidney disease, immune disorders, and other medical conditions. Baxter produces intravenous products and products used in delivering fluids and drugs to patients.
An infusion pump is a medical device that infuses fluids, medication, or nutrients into a patient’s blood. Infusion pumps are typically used intravenously (directly into a vein), though subcutaneous (administered into the subcutis, a layer of skin below the dermis and epidermis), arterial (into an artery), and epidural (injected into the epidural space around the spinal cord) infusions are sometimes used. There are two main classes of pumps, large-volume pumps, and small-volume pumps. Large-volume pumps can pump replacement fluids such as saline solution, medications, or nutrient solutions large enough to feed patients. Small-volume pumps are typically used to infuse hormones, such as insulin, or other medicines.
An infusion pump draws fluids from a bag of fluid and delivers it at a steady rate. Some pumps can administer multiple fluids at the same time, saving space by using a system with three pumps. Infusion pumps are designed to administer fluids in ways that would be expensive or unreliable if they were performed manually by nursing staff.
Baxter infusion pumps typically include the name “Baxter” printed in blue font on the top of the machine. Infusion pumps generally include a digital display and a variety of buttons to control the machine.