EMS IV equipment plays an essential role in the treatment of injury victims. However, unless the equipment includes an IV warmer, it may actually harm injury victims. This is because delivering cold IV infusions leads to hypothermia. Although using any type of IV warmer is better than using none, using a model that has the best specifications for emergency care is crucial for the health of injury victims. Below are tips for choosing the best IV warmer for an EMS products kit.
Power Source
Conventional warmers require an electrical outlet, and are thus used in clinical settings. Battery-powered models allow doctors and paramedics to administer warm IV infusions in areas outside of hospitals, particularly in ambulances and field tents. Battery-powered models also have the advantage of being easier to transport in hospitals as a patient moves to different areas.
Weight
Some warmers weigh as much as thirteen pounds with the battery attached, while others weigh less than two pounds. In a hospital setting, the weight of the device matters less than it does in a non-clinical setting, such as where paramedics must travel over difficult terrain to reach injury victims. In such a situation, the weight of the device may impact whether paramedics reach injury victims in time to administer the infusion.
Flow Rate
The flow rates for portable warmers range from 1-83 ml/min to 2-150 ml/min. A low flow rate limits: the types of infusions that can be administered, and how quickly patients receive them. Thus choosing EMS products that have a high flow rate makes the most sense.
Tubing
Warmers use proprietary tubing that is purchased from the manufacturer, or standard tubing that is acquired from a medical supplier. Because both types of tubing are equally effective, purchasing EMS IV equipment that uses standard tubing is the best choice. Standard tubing is less expensive and easier to procure than proprietary tubing.
Temperature Measurement
A warmer that measures the temperature of the liquid with a sensor that is placed in the fluid path offers the most reliable form of temperature measurement. Other methods of temperature measurement, such as measuring the temperature of warming plates or circulating water, measure the temperature of the liquid indirectly.
Warm Up and Set Up Time
The warm up time and set up time of the device are two of its most important specifications. Ideally, the device should be ready to use in under two minutes. The most efficient warmer on the market has a set up time of 30 seconds and a heat up time of forty-five seconds. In comparison, other portable warmers may take as long as twelve minutes to set up and heat up.
Conclusion
A portable IV warmer is one of the most important pieces of EMS IV equipment that paramedics carry. Without it, paramedics are unable to deliver warm IV infusions that help prevent and resolve hypothermia. If an EMS service does not use portable IV warmers, order them today from a supplier of EMS products.