We have had a couple errors in a NICU because the wrong syringe size was selected when programming syringe pumps. The 1 ml and 3 ml barrel size are similar so the pump is unable to detect the difference and it has to be a manual selection by the nurse.

We have spoken to several vendors and had our current vendor come on site, and apparently this is the case with all brands of syringe pumps.

A NICU at one of our hospitals brought forward the concern that the 1 ml and 3 ml BD syringes are the same barrel size, so when they are inserted into the pump, the autodetect feature (Alaris syringe pump) cannot tell the difference and the nurse must manually select the syringe size. Due to the label on these smaller syringes, it is often hard to tell which size the syringe actually is.

Apparently mistakes/errors have happened more than once, and I wanted to see if anyone else has had this issue or any successful mitigation strategies?

Thank you