What is a Syringe Driver?

A Syringe Driver is a small, battery-operated, portable pump that is used to deliver medications steadily and continuously through a small tube placed under the skin (a process called subcutaneous infusion).

It's a way to effectively manage medication for palliative care patients, ensuring consistent symptom control and pain management whilst supporting quality of life as swallowing becomes challenging.

A Syringe Driver is a small, battery-operated, portable pump that is used to deliver medications steadily and continuously through a small tube placed under the skin (a process called subcutaneous infusion).

It's a way to effectively manage medication for palliative care patients, ensuring consistent symptom control and pain management whilst supporting quality of life as swallowing becomes challenging.

Why would a syringe driver be used for a dying patient?

There are numerous reasons syringe drivers are used when people are dying.

Effective symptom management

For patients who are in the final stages of life, controlling symptoms like pain, nausea, anxiety or breathlessness is crucial. A syringe driver helps ensure that these symptoms are managed continuously and effectively.

Patient comfort

Many patients near the end of life may have difficulty swallowing pills or might be too weak to keep up with frequent injections. The syringe driver provides a steady flow of medication, which helps keep the patient comfortable without frequent disturbances.

Steady medication levels

By delivering medication at a constant rate, the syringe driver helps maintain stable levels of the drugs in the bloodstream. This consistency can lead to better symptom control compared to giving intermittent doses.

Minimising invaisive procedures

Instead of repeated injections, which can be both for the patient and family, a syringe driver provides a continuous gentle method of delivering medication. This reduces the number of injections and invasive procedures, which can be especially important when a patient is very frail.

Managing multiple medications

Often, dying patients require a combination of medications to address different symptoms (such as pain, nausea, or anxiety). A syringe driver can be set up to deliver a mix of drugs in the correct proportions, helping ensure that all aspects of the patient's comfort are addressed without the need for separate injections for each medication.

Reducing stress for family and carers

Continuous delivery means that family members and carers are not repeatedly witnessing invasive procedures. This can alleviate some of the emotional burden during a very challenging time and allow the focus to remain on the overall well-being of the patient.

Efficiency and consistency in care

By automating medication delivery, healthcare professionals can be more confident that the patient is receiving the right dose at the right time. This reduces the risk of human error that might occur with intermittent dosing and free's up time for staff to attend to other important aspects of patient care.

Are syringe drivers only used for patients who are dying?

No, syringe drivers are used for other patients besides those who are dying. While they're most commonly associated with end of life care - helping to manage symptoms like pain, nausea, or breathlessness when oral medications are difficult to take - they can also be beneficial in other clinical situations.

Patients who can't swallow

For anyone who has difficulty swallowing or absorbing oral medications, such as patients with advanced neurological conditions or those recovering from a stroke, a syringe driver can provide a continuous reliable delivery of necessary drugs.

Maintaining consistent medication levels

Some medical conditions require a steady infusion of medication to maintain a constant blood level. A syringe driver is useful in those cases, whether the patient is in a palliative care setting or being treated for other conditions in a hospital or hospice.

Chronic conditions

Patients with long-term conditions that affect their ability to take medications in the usual way, (for example, certain cases of severe dementia or motor neuron disease) may also benefit from the continuous administration offered by a syringe driver.

Intensive care settings

In some critical care or post-operative settings, where precise control over medication delivery is needed, syringe drivers can be used to administer drugs continuously, helping to stabilise a patient's condition.