From Mr A. J. Nunn, MRPharmS
SIR,—The Frenta IV enteral feeding pump was announced recently in your products column (PJ, January 29, p194).
The choice of name for this enteral feeding pump is unfortunate since the Roman numerals IV (presumably intended to indicate that this is version four of the pump) may be confused with the commonly used abbreviation "IV" meaning intravenous. There is, at the least, potential for the confusion that this is an intravenous infusion pump. At worst there could be attempts to connect enteral nutrition lines from the pump to intravenous cannulae. The manufacturer should change the name of the pump at once.
Tony Nunn
Director of Pharmacy, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool
Ms LYNN GRIERSON (marketing manager, UK Enteral Nutrition Division, Fresenius Kabi) replies: We would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that the ends of all Frenta application systems are incompatible with intravenous cannulae and catheters. It is, therefore, impossible to administer enteral feed into a patient's vein using our enteral feeding pumps and lines. However, in response to customers' feedback we have taken the following measures.
The "IV" on all new pumps produced has been changed to Roman numerals IV . We are also replacing the cover on all pumps currently in stock and as they are returned to us for servicing. Prior to this modification, we have produced number "4" stickers for customers to place on the pump over the "IV" as an interim measure. All pump literature has either roman numerals or numbers to ensure that no uncertainty arises.
We trust that the actions Fresenius Kabi has taken since the launch remove every possibility of the enteral feeding pump being confused for an intravenous infusion pump. Every customer comment is valued, and we are continually looking for ways to improve the products and services we offer.