Tips & tricks
Below are some tips and tricks for using the Agilia SP TIVA infusion device that may benefit you and your patients.
NOTE many of these tips and tricks apply to many Agilia Connect devices so the video may be of another device but is still relevant to the Agilia SP TIVA.
Preventative silence: changing the syringe without the pump alarming
To stop the device from alarming audibly you can press the silence key BEFORE performing the action which would normally result in the audible alarm.
An example of this may be using preventative silence before opening the Agilia SP TIVA barrel clasp to change a syringe. Ensure the pump is not actively infusing before using preventative silence.
How to give a bolus when using TCI mode
When running in TCI mode none of the TCI algorithms allows the user to give a bolus using the bolus key.
In certain clinical scenarios, a bolus may be required.
To achieve this a MANUAL bolus can be given on the Agilia SP TIVA.
This is done by pressing down the blue disengagement lever, pushing the plunger driver to deliver your required bolus dose, then releasing the disengagement lever.
The Agilia SP TIVA will automatically calculate the volume of the bolus given, show this on the screen, and automatically adjust the TCI rate and calculated plasma and effect-site concentrations to incorporate this additional volume.
This manual bolus volume will also be added to the total volume infused.
The alternative way to achieve a bolus is to increase your target plasma or effect concentration however this may achieve your bolus over a longer duration compared to a manual bolus.
Setup an infusion in advance such that the Agilia SP TIVA will not alarm
This is probably our top question!
In the situation where you have set up your infusion in advance and want the Agilia SP TIVA to sit quietly waiting for the patient to require it there are 3 options:
Option 1: Program without a syringe loaded.
Program the TCI infusion without the syringe loaded. Once your effect or plasma target is entered and confirmed, the pump will stay idle until a syringe is loaded without alarming.
Once a syringe is loaded, you only need to confirm the syringe type/capacity and press start.
NOTE the barrel clasp has to be closed.
Option 2: Program with a syringe loaded and use the PAUSE feature.
Program the TCI infusion with the syringe loaded. Once your effect or plasma target is entered and confirmed, press the menu key and scroll to the pause function.
Here, set a pause duration.
The device will stay idle and not alarm.
When you need to start the infusion press stop, then start, and the infusion will begin at your programmed values.
Option 3: Program with a syringe loaded and set a target of 0.
Program the TCI infusion with the syringe loaded. Set a target effect or plasma concentration for the lowest possible value.
Press start then press stop immediately after. Press the double down arrow to set a target of 0 then press start.
The device will stay idle and not alarm.
NOTE when using this technique the device will actually be running but just at a target concentration of 0. Remember to increase your target concentration when you require the infusion to actually begin.
Jump to Max or Min rate
To quickly jump to the maximum or minimum rate allowed by your drug protocol or configuration press the double up/down arrow quickly followed by the single up/down arrow.
Alarm & alert volume
Alarm & alert volumes are actually defined in an International Standard called IEC 60601-2-24 Ed 2.0.
This means all of the Agilia Connect infusion devices must comply with this Standard.
The Standard dictates that the "volume of auditory ALARM SIGNALS shall generate a sound-pressure level of at least 45 dBA at 1 metre". This means that even our lowest priority alarm cannot be any quieter than 45 dBA.
As shown below the alarm volumes for the Agilia SP TIVA, as an example, comply with the minimum dBA level of 45 dBA for our lowest priority alarm:
The alarm volume can be changed by the user through the menu as shown below. Please note this option may have been disabled in your pump configuration by senior hospital staff.
Stacking up to 3 devices together
We recommend to stack no more than three devices together which could yield a maximum weight of 8.1kg. Please follow your hospitals protocol on manual lifting.
Any Agilia VP MC, SP MC, SP TIVA or SP PCA can be stacked together for transport, or before fixing them to an IV pole.
The video guide below will show you how to connect devices together.
Using the Agilia Duo
The Agilia Duo double power adapter allows two Agilia devices to be powered by one power cord.