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The aim of this study was to investigate the flow performance of the mechanical Springfusor 30 short model and the electronic Graseby MS16A. Flow rate was measured gravimetrically in a temperature-controlled cabinet. There was no statistically significant difference between the Graseby and Springfusor syringe drivers in the flow rate error at 25 degrees C. The percentage of flow rates within +/-20% accuracy during a 35-min periods at 25 degrees C was significantly less with the Graseby, being 91.9% compared with 100% for the Springfusor. Only 58.2% of flow rates with the Graseby were within the manufacturer claimed accuracy of +/-5%. The flow rate of the Springfusor was affected by temperature; at 30 degrees C the mean flow rate was 10.8% greater than at 25 degrees C. These results indicate that the Springfusor 30 had less flow rate variation than the Graseby MS16A. However, this would not be expected to cause noticeable clinical effects when used for opioid infusion in palliative care.

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A new spring-driven syringe pump (Springfusor 1O®, Go Medical Industries, Subiaco, WA.) was evaluated for infusion of muscle relaxants in 50 surgical cases. After an initial bolus dose, atracurium was given at a rate of 25 to 37.5 mglhour and vecuronium at a rate of 4 to 6 mglhour. The mean infusion rate was found to be 4% above the nominal rate of 5 mllhour and the accuracy in all cases was within ± 20%. The Springfusor was found to be rugged, cheap and easy to use. It lacks dose flexibility but is suitable for continuous background infusion of muscle relaxants during surgery.

Ahn: To investigate the practice of home health care in parenteral therapy services provided by Australian hospital pharmacies in 1995 and to assess the changes in these services since 1989. Method: A questionnaire was mailed to all hospitals on The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) mailing list in March/April of 1995. A similar survey was conducted in 1989. Results: Of the 312 questionnaires, 134 (43%) were returned but only 128 (41 %) contained data. Sterile/ aseptic dispensing was performed by 70 (55%) of the respondents and, of these, 36 (51 %) dispensed parenteral products for patients at home. These data were very similar to those collected in 1989, when the proportions were 50% and 52% respectively. Ninetythree per cent of respondents provided a service to the entire hospital compared with only 67% in 1989. In 1989, 19% of services dispensed only total parenteral nutrition admixtures and 21 % only cytotoxics, whereas in 1995 these proportions were 10% and 0% respectively. Units supplied for all patients consisted mainly of cytotoxics and antibiotics, with patients at home it was primarily continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) solutions, and approximately equal numbers of cytotoxics, antibiotics and total parenteral nutrition admixtures. The average duration that hospitals had been supplying patients at home was less than six years for cytotoxics, antibiotics, analgesics and antispasmodics.The functions done routinely by pharmacists for outpatients receiving intravenous therapy (in more than 60% of responses) were supply, maintenance of a drug therapy profile, review of prescription for appropriateness, counselling and a check for allergies. The other functions -training of patient or carer, ordering/interpreting drug assays and monitoring outcomes -were performed occasionally in more than 30% of responses. The only function routinely performed at the patient's residence in more than 20% of responses was counselling and all functions were never carried out at the patient's residence in more than 60% of responses. More than 90% of patients at home never