An emergency medical technician (EMT) can be certified as basic, intermediate, or paramedic, depending on the licensing state. The levels vary with the amount of training received and the overall scope of practiced medicine. A basic certification involves between 120 and 150 hours of practical work, whereas paramedic training hours begin at 1,200. A paramedic often acquires a two-year degree and is allowed to perform procedures involving the breaking of skin. These include shots, intravenous (IV) application, the use of advanced air corridor management equipment, and the ability to apply as little as thirty types of medications. Basic EMT's are limited to the application of:
Oxygen
Glucose
Inhalers
Epinephrine Auto-Injectors
Both professionals are authorized to respond to an emergency or treat patients in transport to a facility; however, only a paramedic can use an EMT IV kit. This grouping of medical items is used to apply and maintain fluids provided intravenously. Warmers are an item multiple professionals are considering as an addition to their EMT kit. These treatment tools are designed to work in conjunction with standard IV devices to heat fluids before they enter the bloodstream.
EMT Kit: A Device Offering Several Care Benefits
An IV fluid warmer is a valuable EMT kit inclusion for increasing the effectiveness of supplied field or in-transit patient treatment supplied. Hypothermia is a large concern among treatment professionals during fluid application due to the introduction of colder temperatures into the bloodstream in a rapid manner. An individual receiving a large amount of blood or medication in a chilled state frequently suffers a quick decrease in core body temperature. An extremely fast temperature reduction causes hypothermia to develop as a secondary condition. As a result, medical treatment professionals must alleviate this condition before taking care of the immediate problem. By including a warming system as part of an EMT IV kit, paramedics have the ability to heat fluids before entry when a situation calls for this practice.
Portable designs are compact, lightweight, and use battery power to make them a convenient choice for these among other first response treatment professionals:
Ground First Responders
Tactical Response Teams
Flight Services
Search and Rescue Operations
Government Agency Experts
An EMT kit with an infusion warmer ensures a certified individual has the most effective options available in any situation. These devices connect between the IV bag and the entry point to deliver consistent heat to fluids entering the body. The latest designs use advanced technology to ensure consistent heat and prevent overheating scenarios previously experienced with older models. Automatic flow rate adjustment, part standardization, and disposability have increased the advantages offered by these devices. They are now easy to use in any field environment, including areas such as military combat. Emergency response personnel were previously forced to administer cold fluids. It is now easy to carry a warmer in an EMT IV kit or have one stored in an emergency vehicle. Warmers are an affordable option for any facility or response team wanting the capability to provide the best possible care to incoming patients.