Through a process known as biologic homeostasis, all humans are able to maintain a core body temperature in the 98-100 degrees Fahrenheit range. When the body is within this temperature range, it is able to carry out normal metabolic and bodily functions. The condition when the core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit is known as hypothermia. If this condition is left untreated, it will cause physical and mental problems. To combat hypothermia, first responders can use intravenous, or IV fluid warmers. However, these devices must be portable so that they will take up very little space within a paramedic IV kit. Portability is key because hypothermia sets in quickly, and paramedics are usually unable to wait until they arrive at a hospital to begin treatment. To illustrate this, consider some of the leading causes of hypothermia:
Blood Loss: Trauma victims who have experienced blood loss can suffer hypothermia. Paramedics will need to treat hypothermia before they can address the trauma that caused the individual to lose blood.
Exposure to Cold Weather: Individuals who have been in cold weather for an extended period of time, whether they are hikers who got lost or possibly the homeless, will see their core body temperature drop.
Drug Overdose: Following an overdose, the individual's body temperature will fluctuate and paramedics will have to act quickly to remove toxins or resuscitate the victim.
Inebriation: When an individual drinks too much alcohol, so much so that they become inebriated, blood flow increases and makes individuals feel warm even as they unknowingly rapidly lose body heat.
In each of these instances, IV fluid warmers will be necessary to quickly reverse the effects of hypothermia. For instance, a search-and-rescue paramedic will need a paramedic IV kit that is lightweight since he or she will be far from a medical facility and will have to administer fluids quickly since hypothermia will be in an advanced stage. IV fluid warmers should be lightweight so that they do not slow paramedics down in the field, with the ideal weight being less than two pounds. While many hospitals stock IV fluid warmers that need to be plugged into the wall to be powered, a paramedic IV kit should instead contain a device that is battery powered so that it can be used in any setting. A product that has instructions printed on the device will also help speed up the process of administration.
The reason that IV fluid warmers are necessary when an individual is experiencing hypothermia is because the addition of warm liquids into the victim's body will help individuals bring their core body temperature back to a safe range. Even individuals who are not experiencing hypothermia will need to have fluids that have been heated provided, as administration of cold fluids will cause hypothermia. Therefore a paramedic IV kit should include a heating device so that the paramedic does not aggravate the victim's ailment.
In conclusion, paramedics should acquire IV fluid warmers that are lightweight, battery powered, and easy to use so that they are prepared to combat or prevent hypothermia.