CareVis information for patients
Your doctor has chosen the CareVis infusion pump for your medication infusion. CareVis is a single-use infusion pump that administers your medication continuously and reliably within the specified time. This allows you to combine your doctor's therapy concept with the greatest possible freedom of movement for you. This guide is intended to help you to familiarise yourself with the CareVis system so that you feel safe during your therapy.
Individualised therapy with CareVis
Your doctor has selected the CareVis model that is right for you and will administer the amount of medication required for your needs over a set period of time. When the pump is connected to your vein access (usually a port catheter), the infusion starts and only stops when the CareVis pump is empty.
How mobile am I with the CareVis?
The extent of your mobility depends on your doctor's instructions. Thanks to its shape, low weight and unbreakable cover, the CareVis gives you plenty of freedom of movement. With the separate carrying net or the carrying bag, you can carry the pump comfortably around your waist, shoulder or however else you wish.
How do I carry the CareVis infusion pump?
To ensure pumping accuracy, wear the CareVis at the level of the vein access. At night, it should be placed at bed height, e.g. on the bedside table, and not suspended high or placed on the floor as with an infusion that you may be familiar with from hospital.
Protect the pump from heat and cold
Please ensure that your CareVis is not exposed to direct sunlight or particularly high or low temperatures. The pump can also heat up or cool down in the carrying bag if it is placed directly in the sun or exposed to extreme cold.
Bathing and showering with the CareVis
The pump itself and especially the modules on the hose should not get wet if possible. Simple splashes of water are insignificant. Please follow your doctor's instructions with regard to connecting the CareVis to your venous access (e.g. port) when showering or bathing.
Protect the pump from soap and alcohol
Do not bring soap or alcoholic solutions into contact with the pump, as this may impair its functionality.
Safety instructions at a glance:
- wear the pump at the level of the vein access
- Protect the pump from heat and cold
- Protect the pump from water
- protect the pump from soap and solutions containing alcohol
- check occasionally whether the CareVis is pumping
How do I recognise that the CareVis is pumping?
Depending on the type of CareVis you have received, it can take between hours and several days before the pump is completely empty. Your doctor, pharmacist or carer will tell you how long your CareVis will be pumping.
The current fill level can be read from the position of the orange indicator ring on the scale. The infusion usually runs too slowly to observe a direct movement of the indicator ring. If you take a look at it at longer intervals, you will recognise the infusion progress.
The CareVis infusion tube is kink-resistant and ensures the infusion even if it is severely bent or kinked.
If you still do not recognise any progress over several hours, you may suspect that the infusion has been interrupted. In rare cases, your venous access may be blocked. With port catheters, the needle may occasionally not be deep enough in the port. The infusion will then also not work. In such cases, you should inform your doctor or the nursing service caring for you immediately.
As the pump is very reliable and blockages of vein accesses are rare, it is not necessary to check the pumping progress too often.
How do I recognise when the pump is empty?
The infusion is finished when the level indicator is at zero. Do not disconnect the device until the infusion is complete unless otherwise instructed by the healthcare professional.
The pump is empty before the doctor's visit. What should I do?
As a rule, follow your doctor's recommendations. In general, you can leave everything as it is, even if it is hours before you see your doctor. In the very unlikely event that the pump runs out prematurely, you should inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
When should I inform the doctor, pharmacist or nursing service?
If the system of the pump, line or your vein access should leak or if you have any doubts as to whether the pump is still filled, inform your doctor, pharmacist or nursing service. Also inform them if you have accidentally disconnected the access.
How do I dispose of the pump?
When disposing of the empty pump, please follow your doctor's instructions.
CareVis for pain therapy
Please note the following if you are using a CareVis infusion pump that allows you to self-administer an additional dose of pain medication, also known as a bolus:
If the pain intensity requires it, press the bolus button. Slowly press the button all the way down to completely empty the bolus bag underneath. The maximum additional bolus dose that can be called up is predefined and does not change if you keep the bolus button pressed.
If the bolus button is released, the bolus bag will refill within the specified filling time. The predefined filling time, also known as the lock-out time, prevents overdosing by pressing the bolus button too often.
Follow the instructions of your doctor or nurse regarding the use and frequency of use of the bolus button. If you think you need more pain medication, contact your doctor or nurse at an early stage.
How does the CareVis infusion pump work?
CareVis is a maintenance-free medical device that is manufactured using state-of-the-art technology and high-quality materials. As the pump has no electronic components, you do not need to check the battery status and it will not disturb you with noises or alarms while you sleep.
The operating principle of the CareVis is simple and reliable. Under the protective cover is a silicone balloon that expands when filled. The elastic force of this balloon pumps the medication solution into the line and into the body via your vein access (e.g. port). A flow restrictor just before the end of the infusion tube ensures the correct dosage of the infusion solution over time and therefore does not allow more medication to pass through than your doctor intended. Adjustments of any kind are not necessary.
Last revision: 2023-12-12