NTP Best Practice Guideline

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Publications > Manuals > NTP Best Practice Guideline > Dispensing/Administering Medication > Using Automated Dispensing Pumps > Calibrating the Equipment

Dispensing/Administering Medication

Calibrating the Equipment

Because manufacturers vary in their recommendations related to calibration of automated dispensing pump equipment, NTPs are advised to review the specific recommendations regarding calibration of pumps provided by the manufacturer of their pump. Some manufacturers recommend the use of volumetric flask calibration standards while others recommend the use of gravimetric calibration standards. In addition, some manufacturers recommend that pump equipment be recalibrated at the factory, while others deem on site recalibration to be appropriate. If recalibration is to be implemented at the NTP site, it is recommended that those NTP personnel who have been designated as responsible for recalibration be trained and certified by the pump manufacturer or the manufacturer's designee to ensure accurate calibration.

Other recommendations regarding calibration include the following:

To minimize errors in the pumping of medication, automated dispensing pumps should be calibrated and serviced following the manufacturer's recommendations.
Only certified, designated personnel should be involved in recalibrating equipment. These personnel should follow the manufacturer's recommendations and procedures during the recalibration process.
The NTP should maintain a log documenting the history of pump recalibration.
Pump output should be verified periodically, using either volumetric or gravimetric measures, as recommended by the pump's manufacturer.
Graduated cylinders should not be used to verify bottle fill capacity. NTP personnel should not "dump" the contents of the bottles provided by the supplier into other containers in order to check bottle fill.

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