What we know
Syringe drivers are small portable (usually battery-operated) devices used to administer medication in palliative care. A single drug or a combination of drugs is given via a slow continuous subcutaneous infusion to help control symptoms when other routes of administration are no longer viable, feasible or preferred. Although reliable and convenient, some patients and carers may be reluctant to use a syringe driver as it may have negative connotations. For end-of-life care for older people, syringe drivers can be effective in managing symptoms of nausea, vomiting, pain and respiratory distress. People who use syringe drivers need to be competent and confident so that errors do not occur.