Use of an ambulatory infusion pump in a 12-year-old with Salmonella osteomyelitis

A 12-year-old girl with sickle cell hemoglobinopathy presented with a Salmonella osteomyelitis of her right humerus requiring six weeks of parenteral antibiotic therapy. Home therapy was evaluated. Due to the frequency of the medication administration (every six hours) and the apprehension of the family members, a Pharmacia-Deltec CADD-VT Infusion Pump was chosen for drug administration. Based on the stability of ampicillin, 1.3 g q6h was administered to provide a minimum of 1 g for the last dose of a 24-hour cycle. Ampicillin 6 g contained in 100 mL of sterile water for injection provided a 60 mg/mL solution with an osmolarity of 347 mOsmol. The pump was programmed to deliver 22 mL of solution over one hour, every six hours. A keep-vein-open rate of 0.2 mL/h maintained line patency. A 100 mL cassette of solution prepared daily was replaced on the pump by a home therapy nurse each morning. At the end of six weeks of therapy, the osteomyelitis was eradicated. We found the use of an ambulatory infusion pump an effective, convenient, and cost-saving method of treatment for our patient.