EMS IV equipment helps paramedics stabilize an injury victim's health, but some paramedics inadvertently harm injury victims by treating them with cold IV infusions that cause hypothermia. Buying portable IV warmers from an EMS products supplier is the simplest way to prevent this problem, but not all portable warmers are equal. If your EMS service is planning to implement portable IV warmers in its paramedic supplies, be sure to consider the following points before you choose a particular model.
Set up and heat up time
The longer it takes to set up and heat the IV warmer, the more time an injury victim has to succumb to his or her injuries. To deliver lifesaving blood transfusions and medicinal infusions on an emergency basis, paramedics need an IV warmer that can be set up and heated in less than two minutes. Currently, the most efficient model takes thirty seconds to set up and forty-five seconds to heat.
Weight with the battery attached
Be sure to determine the weight of the device with the battery attached. In most cases, an IV warmer weighs less than its battery. With the battery attached, some models weigh several pounds - a weight that drags down paramedics as they traverse difficult terrain or ascend stairwells. The model that weighs the least weighs less than two pounds with the battery attached.
Method of temperature measurement
Measuring the temperature of the IV fluid is essential for preventing IV induced hypothermia. Suppliers of EMS products typically carry warmers that use one of the following methods of temperature measurement:
Measuring the temperature of warming plates that heat the liquid
Measuring the temperature of circulating water that heats the liquid
Directly measuring the temperature of the liquid
The first two methods are not recommended, as the temperature of the warming plates or the circulating water is not necessarily the temperature of the liquid. Directly measuring the liquid's temperature is the only way to ensure that it has the proper temperature.
Disposable versus non-disposable
Disposable EMS IV equipment requires no maintenance or sterilization. It also removes the possibility of infection due to improper sterilization. Non-disposable models are reusable, but considering that EMS crews need a constant supply of warmers on hand, choosing a disposable model that does not need maintenance or sterilization may be more beneficial.
Flow rate
The flow rate of a warmer determines the types of infusions that it administers. Because injury victims require various types of infusions, from blood transfusions to medicinal infusions, choosing a model that has a generous flow rate of 2-150 ml/min is the best option.
Conclusion
The type of EMS IV equipment that paramedics use determines how they care for injury victims. To care for hypothermic injury victims, and prevent the occurrence of IV induced hypothermia, paramedics should use portable IV warmers. If your EMS service is deciding which type of warmer to use, the tips above will help. For more information on the specifications of portable IV warmers, contact a supplier of EMS products today.