The types of EMS IV products that paramedics carry affect the care that injury victims receive. Today, many EMS services include a portable EMS IV warmer in paramedic kits to assist with the treatment of hypothermia. If an EMS service is considering implementing the device, but there are questions about its specifications and use, the answers below will help.
How long does it take to set up the device?
The most efficient model can is ready for use in seventy-five seconds. In comparison, the least efficient model may take as many as twelve minutes to set up and heat up - an amount of time that paramedics should consider unacceptable. IV infusions can be a matter of life and death. Therefore, paramedics should use a device that sets up and heats up in less than two minutes.
How does the device measure the temperature of the liquid?
Some devices measure the temperature of the liquid by measuring the temperature of warming plates that heat the liquid. Similarly, other devices measure the temperature of circulating water that heats the liquid. The problem with these methods is that they do not actually measure the temperature of the fluid. In order to measure the temperature of the fluid, a sensor must be placed in the fluid path. A model that uses this method of temperature measurement is the only model that paramedics should use.
Does the device require proprietary tubing?
Some EMS IV products require proprietary tubing, but an EMS IV warmer that uses standard tubing is just as effective as one that uses special tubing. Because proprietary tubing costs more than standard tubing, and may take longer to acquire, using a warmer that requires standard tubing is the best option.
Is the device disposable or reusable?
Warmers can be purchased as disposable or reusable equipment. Disposable models decrease maintenance cost and eliminate the possibility of infection due to improper sterilization. They are also helpful for emergency crews that travel to remote locations, and have difficulty storing reusable medical equipment.
How much does the device weigh with the battery attached?
Some portable warmers weigh as much as thirteen pounds with the battery attached, while others weigh just over one pound. Other than making it easier or harder to transport, the weight of the device does not impact its performance. Therefore, it is advisable to use the device that weighs the least.
What is the flow rate of the device?
Flow rates for portable warmers range from 1-83 ml/min to 2-150 ml/min. Using a device that offers the broadest flow rate gives paramedics the most discretion when they administer infusions.
Conclusion
EMS IV products play an important role in the treatment of injury victims. However, if an EMS IV kit does not contain a portable IV warmer, paramedics are at a disadvantage for treating hypothermia. In fact, cold infusions can cause hypothermia - a condition that complicates surgery and may lead to cardiac arrest. If an emergency service does not include a portable EMS IV warmer in its paramedic kits, order the device today from a supplier of EMS products.