Syringe drivers

Prescribers

1. Open the resident's medication chart and click on Syringe Driver.
   
   
    
2. In the Syringe Driver tab click Add New Driver.
   The Add New Driver window will open, enter:
   • Title of the driver,
   • Frequency by selecting from the dropdown,
   • Start Date,
   • Status – ongoing or single dose,
   • Comment,
   • Click on Add Medicines to Driver.
     
     
      
3. The driver will be added, and the medication can be added by clicking on Add a new medication.
   
   
    
4. Type in the name of the medication (or part of the medication name), click Search (strength and dose form are optional).
   
   
    
5. Select the correct one.  Funded medication will be highlighted in green.
   Once all the medication has been added complete the remainder of the Current Drivers window and click on Add to Driver and close.
   
   
    
6. A driver can be edited by clicking on the Open to Edit button
   
   
   
   The driver will be locked to ensure another prescriber cannot make changes while it is being edited.
   Important Note:
   Australia: If you are charting a S8 medication as a component of the driver, you will be asked to re-enter your PIN number to Save.
    

Facility Users

1. Open the driver you are dealing with and click on Setup Driver.
   
   
    
2. Click on Construct Driver.
   
   
    
3. The RN can:
   • select the Syringe Size,
   • enter a Comment,
   • select the diluent used,
   • enter the number of mLs and mgs/mcgs to be added to the driver,
   • enter an Alternative ampoule size or strength if required.
     
     
     
     If an alternative ampoule strength is chosen, then it will still display the prescribed charted line and will also display the alternative the RN has chosen to use. Enter “0”ml and “0”mg or micrograms for the prescribed ampoule strength charted if this is not being used.
      
4. A second person must check the calculations, medication, number of mLs  and tick each ingredient and diluent off as added to the driver and click on Verify.
   
   
    
5. The second person enters their Username and Password and click on Checked.
   
   
    
6. The first time the driver is administered you will need to click on Click here to record Driver Started.
   
   
    
7. If this is a replacement driver, click on Stop Driver for yesterday's driver and then click on Driver Started for today's.
   
    
8. If it is your facility’s policy, that a double sign is required to record a driver started, the Checked by box will appear, the second person completes, and clicks Checked. The driver will now be highlighted green.
    
9. Click on the Finish bar to go back to the administration grid.
   
   
    
10. Click on Observation to record any observations as per your facility policy.
    
    
     
11. Click on Add New Observation.
    
    
     
12. Enter any observations and click on Save. The observations will be visible until the driver charting is changed and can be viewed in reports > Syringe Driver Observations.
    
    
     

IMPORTANT NOTE

Pre-made drivers constructed by the pharmacy will arrive labelled with the number of mg of each medication and the total volume in mLs. You are required to check that the labelled syringe matches the charted ingredients. 

• Click on the driver you are dealing with,
• Click on Pre-made Driver,
  
  Enter the:
  • Expiry date,
  • Number of mg or mcg for each medication,
  • Total volume in the syringe,
• The second person will check and tick off each ingredient and click on Verify,
• A double sign is required.
• Follow from step seven to start the driver.