Sepsis and Septic Shock

Many infections that patients get do not result in severe illness requiring the ICU. Pneumonias, urinary tract infections, and GI bugs pass through clinics across the world each day without a thought. A few unfortunate patients develop a clinical syndrome that is much more severe called sepsis. This is the term that physicians use to describe an overwhelming infection that has made a patient very ill. Treating these patients can be a complex process. Here is some insight into what physicians are considering when they see a patient with sepsis.

Sepsis and the Infectious Continuum

Doctors are very detail oriented by nature. To that end, we classify everything in order to better understand things. For severe infections, there is a continuum of disease ranging in severity from your basic infection like a urinary tract infection all the way to the most severe, septic shock. This spectrum may seem a bit like voodoo, so here is a simple breakdown:

SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome)-patient has two or more of abnormal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, or white blood cell count (blood test)

Sepsis-Has SIRS plus a known site of infection

Severe Sepsis-Has sepsis plus dysfunction of at least one organ

Septic Shock-Has severe sepsis plus low blood pressure

Antibiotics and Other Medications

The mainstay of therapy for anyone with a severe infection is antibiotics. Common sense would tell you that giving antibiotics quickly probably makes a difference. As a matter of fact, it does. There was a study published in Critical Care Medicine that showed giving antibiotics more quickly saves more lives.

In addition to giving antibiotics quickly, there is a protocol known commonly amongst physicians as Rivers Protocol. This is named for the lead author on the article appearing in The New England Journal of Medicine that first outlined this approach. The general idea is that antibiotics are given quickly as well as other interventions (fluids, medicines to sustain blood pressure, and blood) to sustain the patient while they are in the acute phase of their illness. This is why things seems to happen quickly at first when someone goes to the ICU. There is usually a well planned out protocol for the first few hours.

Ventilator

It is not uncommon for a patient with sepsis to require the ventilator for a period of time, especially if the patient's infection started as a pneumonia. Putting a patient on the ventilator relieves the patient from the work of breathing and ensures that their respirations continue in a controlled manner. By taking control of this essential function, doctors can use other medications and interventions described above to get the patient on the road to recovery while ensuring that the patient's lungs continue to work. As a side effect, patients must be sedated while on the ventilator because of the invasive nature of having a tube in your throat, which means they won't remember much of being on the ventilator. Once they begin to improve, they can be weaned off the ventilator and have the breathing tube removed.

Long Term Health Effects

Because of the debilitating nature of having sepsis, many patients find it takes them weeks or even months to recover their strength. This is especially true for elderly folks or those already weak from chronic illness. Many ICUs will get physical therapy to see patients even while they are still in the ICU. After getting appropriately treated, some patients require time at a rehab facility to regain their strength before going home. While most want to get home quickly, patients often find that they are eventually appreciative of going to rehab as they would not have had the strength to function at home without it. There's nothing like getting out of bed to make a person feel better!

120 Days in Intensive Care

I want to talk about another real world example of what some long-term Patients and their Families are going through, when faced with long-term ventilation with Tracheostomy in Intensive Care.
A long-term Patient in Intensive Care died after around 120 days in Intensive Care. A very tragic case that would have ended with the same outcome and in a nicer and more Patient and Family friendly environment, if people would think outside of the box and outside of their current clinical paradigms. In this instance- thanks to a few courageous people- a few steps in the right direction have been taken. Those steps, from my perspective, were quite unusual in the current Intensive Care paradigm, but made a big difference to the Patient and the Family and have the potential to be taken further in the future, but I'll talk about the specifics later.

The Patient was ventilated and had a Tracheostomy pretty early in the ICU admission due to the Patients underlying clinical issues and premedical history.

After around day 60, the Patient- as so many long-term ventilated Patients in Intensive Care- lost strength, vitality and was rapidly deteriorating, although the Patient never lost faith and had been very positive generally, despite being in a cubicle with limited privacy and dignity. The Patient was extremely brave, despite the destiny the Patient was facing, as after around day 60, so many long-term ventilated Patients and their Families usually lose patience, stamina and faith in the ordeal they are going through. Usually Patients become clinically depressed, due to the environment they are in and they suffer from a disturbed day and night rhythm with sleep deprivation. How can one sleep in a busy, high stress, 24/7 environment anyway? I have yet to find the answer to that one...
The Patient was generally clinically stable and the main issue keeping the Patient in Intensive Care was the ventilator dependency. The Patient was ready to fight the odds, but also realised after around day 90 the limitations of what modern medicine is able to provide and that our time on this earth is limited. It was around the day 90 mark when the first discussions about palliation and withdrawal of treatment were raised and the first Family meetings were held around the issues of palliation and withdrawal of treatment. Mind you the Patient was only in its mid fifties and far too young to die, let alone spending the last few months in Intensive Care with no Quality of Life...

The Patient had limited support from immediate Family- not because the Family did not want to support their loved one- However, the Patient's spouse lived far away and also suffered from a stroke in the last 6 months. The Patient's spouse was therefore only able to visit once a week. Probably not quite a visiting pattern that fully supports a critically ill Family member in Intensive Care...

The Patient also had adult children and they had young children of their own and the children therefore had serious time constraints to support their parent through the ordeal in Intensive Care.

Discussions around end-of Life Care, palliation and withdrawal of treatment are never easy, and especially if Patients are awake and understand the implications of the decisions being made, the Patients view should count as well. The Patient and the Family were having a very difficult time to confront the end-of-Life situation, as the Patient and the Family were desperately and understandably trying to hold on to a young life.

The sad thing about the story is that, like in so many other cases that I have witnessed over the years in Intensive Care, everybody working in the environment knows that some Patients are going to die over sometimes weeks and months and Intensive Care is not an environment where people want to die, if given a choice. Especially if Patients are awake, why would we as health professionals leave them in a busy, noisy and stressful Critical Care environment, if there is another option available, that would not only provide the Patients, but also their Families with a much better Quality of (end-of) Life? Why do Intensive Care Units continue to occupy their beds with long-term Patients, spend hundreds of thousands of Dollars of tax payers money, when there is another more cost effective solution that also frees up scarce ICU resources(staff and beds) that could be used for more acute Patients?

Continuing with the Patients ordeal, during the last two weeks of the Patients stay in Intensive Care, more Family meetings were held, until it was decided that the Patient was going to be palliated. Around 48 hours prior to the Patient being palliated, the Patient had the opportunity to go home for a visit whilst being ventilated. This was made possible thanks to a few courageous health professionals within the Intensive Care environment. That gave the Patient and the Family a few hours together in their Family home. The Patient was able to visit the Family home one more time and say goodbye to the house and to the pets that lived there... This was good news for all parties involved, if there were any good news at all, in such a difficult situation. The Patient went back to ICU and passed away within the next 48 hours.

But why do Intensive Care Units still wait for 60 or 90 days and longer in order to provide a Patient and their Families with what they really want, really need and provide them with a better Quality of Life and/or Quality of-end-of-Life? This particular Patient, and most long-term ventilated Patients with Tracheostomy, could go home after day 60 and they could be provided with a much better Quality of Life and/or Quality of-end-of-Life than it can ever be achieved in a Critical Care environment. Furthermore, especially is Families have constraints around visiting their loved ones, as was the case with this particular Patient, why not take a Patient home and have them surrounded by their loved ones?

Any other industry is creating real world solutions for their Customers, generally through innovation. The health Industry is extremely slow to embrace new models of care, that provide real and tangible benefits and opportunities for Patients, Families and Hospitals alike, especially if those models of care exist in other countries that have proven to be effective and Patients, their Families and Hospitals prefer to have long-term ventilated Patients with Tracheostomy in the Home, looked after by highly skilled Critical Care Nurses. Those long-term ventilated Patients with Tracheostomy and their Families would never in a Million years go back to Intensive Care if they can stay at home

Cleaning Your Tablecloths for Holiday Catering

Restaurant linens, though not frequently considered when dining out, are one of the foundational items that have the ability to imbue a place with the right feel and atmosphere. On the other hand, haphazard, dingy or soiled linens make even the most scrumptious meal seem sloppy and inadequate. A restaurant with a talented chef and reliably outstanding food immediately seems less appealing when dishes are served on dingy or stained linens. Tablecloths are the canvases on which artful food is served, and the presentation of the table impacts how the food is perceived. The same holds true for catering, in that the visual presentation is at least as important as the food itself - and perhaps even more persuasive, considering how people are programmed to interpret sensory data.

Artful Presentation Matters

As we all know through experience, first impressions are everything, especially when it comes to business. Our brains are wired to receive information about our environments continuously through every sense we have. The sensory stimuli that we take in at any given moment are rapidly categorized and translated through our individual experiences. This information works together to help us make judgments and decisions, categorize events and create memories. Comforting smells, pleasant temperature, crisp linens, delicious food and music all create an experience when dining out. When one piece of the puzzle is missing, it skews the entire perception of the event. A movie theater that smells old and musty, for example, can impact what patrons remember from the outing. That same phenomenon can occur anywhere and is something to keep in mind when in the business of selling an experience, which is exactly what modern consumers expect when dining out or using a catering service.

Like dining out, people hire caterers for many reasons: to save time, celebrate a special occasion, or just to relax and enjoy being waited on. But the key is that regardless of why they are choosing to do so, they are counting on the ability to create a certain feeling and atmosphere with the catering company. Having staff in crisp, clean uniforms, pristine linens and well-prepared food all contribute to this atmosphere.

When it comes to holiday catering, even more emphasis is placed on the visual. People enjoy the glitz and festivity that surrounds holidays and will want their catering company to pull out all the stops for their holiday party. This means including some tasteful and colorful decorations, as well as bright and impeccably cleaned tablecloths.

Tablecloths Help Create an Experience

Though smell has long been hailed as the most powerful sense we have in triggering memories, sight has also been proven to affect taste. In 2004, researchers at Oxford University revealed that there is a complex interplay involved between senses in the brain. This enables us to experience and understand the world in a unified way. These findings are particularly useful for those in the food and entertainment industries. We now frequently see business marketing that promotes this "selling an experience" approach. For restaurants and caterers alike, it is important to consider all the senses and how their business will be perceived by each facet of the consumer's perception.

Benefits of Professional Laundering

Using a professional laundering service is the most efficient way to get crisp, clean linens for your holiday parties. Professionals are trained to handle high volumes of tablecloths at a time and can even help to cut down on risk for infectious disease, such as the spreading of the common cold. Before and after each event, it's important to send linens out to be professionally laundered. Doing so not only ensures your tablecloths will be neatly pressed and ready in time for your event, but will also cut down on spreading colds and flu that are common in the winter months.

Professionals ensure tablecloths are properly washed, pressed, folded and looking fresh. They also sanitize, remove stains and unpleasant smells, and eliminate disease-causing germs. Taking great care of your linens is an integral part of creating a festive and elegant dining experience; the extra effort will not go unnoticed by your customers.

The Issues the Common Cold Creates in Hospitals

Cold and flu season, which typically ranges from October to May in the U.S., presents a challenging time for hospitals. Already full of sick and recovering patients, hospitals are the perfect breeding ground for viral rhinitis, aka "the common cold." Once the illness is contracted, it is highly contagious and easily transmitted through medical linens, commonly used areas of the hospital, and hospital equipment. In patients with compromised immune systems, the rhinovirus can cause serious secondary infections that may linger for weeks or months. It can also aggravate existing chronic health conditions, such as asthma, allergies, diabetes and heart disease.

Rhinovirus and How it Spreads

There are more than 200 different types of viruses that cause the common cold. Rhinoviruses are the most prevalent sources, causing up to 40 percent of colds. Coronaviruses are responsible for roughly 20 percent, and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) cause up to 10 percent of colds. All of these viruses cause infection of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose, throat and sinuses.

Viral rhinitis is frequently acquired through direct contact with infected droplets projected from the nose or mouth through sneezing and coughing. Hand-to-hand contact is another easy infection route, where virus particles are passed from one person's hand to another. From there, the virus can be transported through rubbing your eyes or scratching your nose.

The cold virus is largely just a painful nuisance for a healthy individual, with many people catching a few colds each year. They typically include nasal congestion, sore throat, sneezing and coughing. These symptoms can last for up to two weeks. While colds are unpleasant, they are typically treatable at home with some rest, increased fluids and over-the-counter medication for symptoms. But for a person with an already compromised immune system, a common cold can have disastrous health complications.

What Colds Can Do

Common colds, though basically harmless for people in good health, can be dangerous foundations for several serious infections in patients with suppressed immune systems. If someone is recovering from chemotherapy or major surgery, a cold can last much longer than normal. Aside from displaying more severe symptoms and lingering longer than usual, the rhinovirus in an already immuno-deficient person can cause acute ear infections, sinusitis and other secondary infections, such as bronchitis, strep throat and pneumonia.

For people with heart disease, cold complications can be especially dangerous. Pneumonia and other lung infections make the weakened heart work even harder. In these situations, it is difficult to take in oxygen efficiently. This creates another demand on the heart to pump oxygenated blood throughout the body.

How to Reduce Infection

Good hygiene, proper hand washing and frequent disinfecting of communal surfaces and equipment are helpful in the prevention of spreading colds. But another common culprit for spreading infection among hospital staff - as well as patients - is contaminated hospital linens. Washing bedding and towels in hot water with regular detergent is not enough to kill off many types of viruses. One of best ways to prevent common cold outbreaks is using a professional hospital laundry service. They are equipped to effectively sanitize and launder infected linens and adhere to strict guidelines in doing so. Using only EPA-registered laundry disinfectant and washing in water temperatures above 160°F are some of the precautions they take to prevent the spread of disease. These efforts, when coupled with thorough disinfecting of equipment and highly trafficked surfaces, greatly reduce germs that are prevalent in hospitals.

Selecting Dental Chairs

Dental chairs are some of the most important items in any dental office. The chairs are what make it possible for the dentists to perform every single day since they are designed to put patients in the best positions to make it possible for them to access and assess the mouth in the best angles needed. The dental chairs need to be as comfortable as possible if at all the dentist and the patient are to enjoy every minute spent in the dental office.The dental chairs are used from the diagnosis stage to the treatment stage and this means therefore that a dentist will need to invest wisely in a great chair or chairs within the dental office. When choosing the best dental chairs for your office, there are things which need to be checked to ensure that you are purchasing a chair that will serve all your dental needs.

3 Life Saving Techniques Everybody Should Learn

We face hundred different situations and problems in our daily life and our basic common sense and knowledge facilitates us in solving them. For any difficulty that comes across, we need some sort-of an idea or knowledge about the problem to have some grip on it. The everyday situations that we face are wide-ranging and at any time, there could be a case which poses a threat to the life of somebody around you. At most times, people do not know how to react and fail to handle the situation properly. For a better planning and execution, basic first-aid skills should be known to everybody as they can be needed in any emergency without warning. For a complete knowledge of techniques, taking a course from a professional institute is important and here is some information about the five most important first-aid techniques people should have an idea about.

One of the most common and dangerous emergencies that are faced is a sudden problem in breathing. CPR or cardiovascular pulmonary resuscitation is a method that is used to revive the breathing of a person. At a lot of times, due to some physical problem the breath of a person can stop and if not treated immediately, the person can lose his or her life. CPR is the method of reviving the person with the help of compressions and breaths. It is a set procedure and there are three basic CPR actions that have to be conducted. To conduct a PR, tilt the head of the victim in a backward position and start by giving chest compressions and do it at regular intervals after giving the lungs, time to expand. The pattern is to give 30 compressions and two breaths and this should be repeated till the time the person begins to breath. Simultaneously call 911 and make sure medical help arrives as soon as possible.

Another very common emergency that has the capability of taking a life is the problem of cardiac arrests. With stressed lifestyles and high cholesterol levels, cardiac arrests have become something very ordinary and can happen to anybody. Immediate attention is required to prevent the person from dying and this is only possible with the help of the shocking devices available at most public places. These shocking devices are technically called AED or Automated External De-fibrillators and are used as immediate shocking devices to revive the heart. Cardiac arrests happen due to sudden disruption in the heart beats and can only be brought to normal with the help of these devices. AEDs are very easy to use and with proper knowledge, even students can use it with proper training.

When out somewhere or met with an accident, bleeding is something very ordinary and lethal at the same time. To stop the bleeding, pressure needs to be applied to the wound with the help of a clean and sterile gauze. If it is not available in any condition, a towel or a cloth can be used for the same purpose. If it is possible, the wound should be raised above the heart to prevent excessive bleeding. These are the three most important techniques people of all ages and backgrounds should know and training is highly important to know the right way to do it.

3 Reasons Why Long Term Ventilated Patients Need Specialised Intensive Home Care Nursing Services

Reason one: Quality of Life for Customers and their families. There is no such thing as Quality of Life for a long-term ventilated Patient with Tracheostomy in Intensive Care. I vividly remember this 38 year old gentlemen being diagnosed with Guillan Barre- Syndrome. He spent a good three and a half months in ICU on a ventilator with a Tracheostomy. Hell was he depressed and frustrated- and so was his family. His elderly Parents, his young wife and his two young children spent far too much time in Intensive Care, with their family life, their health and their general well being suffering. This gentlemen could have gone home after one month, if specialised services had been available. The only thing that kept him in Intensive Care was his ventilator dependency and the lack of specialised home Intensive Care Nursing services.

Reason two: Quality of-end-of-Life for Customers and their families. The full force of exposure to suffering, pain and vulnerability hits when somebody is dying slowly on a ventilator with Tracheostomy in ICU. Everybody who has witnessed the slow death of a Patient dying on a ventilator with Tracheostomy in Intensive Care, will not forget the experience. I remember a number of cases vividly over recent years, but the one that probably stood out most, was a young lady in her mid- fifties. After a new set of lungs had given her a few more years to live, she now was readmitted back to Intensive Care and the full force of respiratory failure hit her. Over a good 8-12 week period, this lady and her family went through hell. Fully conscious most of the time, she occupied a bed space in midst of the unit, glaring at people who passed by. Intensive Care is a very busy 24/7 environment- I had to throw that in- and in the middle of this 24/7 thoroughfare was this lady, surrounded by her family, most of the time and everybody could actually see what was going on. People should have seen her husband. I remember that at the beginning of the lady's ICU admission, he was full of strength, very supportive and always friendly and chatty' with the staff. Towards the end of his wife's stay in Intensive Care, he could hardly walk with a sore back. I think he felt the full force of what him and his wife had been through, despite of all the efforts of the marvellous ICU staff.

Quality- of-end-of -life is not a term Health services, hospitals or even palliative services use and I believe it is so underrated. Shouldn't?Palliative services' be renamed to Quality of-end-of-life services'? Shouldn't we strive to provide Quality of-end-of-life, just as much as we strive to get Patients out of Intensive Care in a better condition than what they came in for? Isn't it a privilege to provide Quality at the end of somebody's life? I believe it is. Death is part of life- and the sooner we accept and embrace it and make it part of our day to day living, the more creative and accepting we get of the fact that there is Quality, even at the end of our lives.

Reason three: Quality of work environment for staff in Intensive Care. Everybody who has worked in Intensive Care for a period of time, whether Nurses, Doctors, Physiotherapists or anybody else who has come in contact with a long- term mechanically ventilated Patient with Tracheostomy and their families, knows the feeling and the uneasiness when a Patient has been in Intensive Care for sometimes many weeks or many months. Those Patients are very often not on the 'top priority' list of anyone within the ICU environment. Depending on the Intensive Care unit layout, those Patients might be left in a side room, with an Agency nurse looking after the Patient, because the permanent staff, have lost their enthusiasm looking after the Patient. So the Patient is then left with the Agency Nurse looking after the 'day 68 Trachy Patient'. Now, no disrespect to Agency nurses, but it is usually the permanent staff of an organisation that is usually more engaged with Patient care.

Furthermore, the Patient has also 'slipped' down the priority list of the Medical staff. They very often come and see this Patient last on their ward rounds. As nothing is moving forward with this Patient anyway and everybody is feeling the burden of not really making any progress with this Patient, everybody is a bit like, "well there is not much we can do with Joe anyway. He's got a Trachy and is still ventilated- so what are we going to do?". The discussion around Joe is not going to move forward, as the ICU team has not many more options to provide Quality of Life for Joe.

Once again, everybody who knows and understands how an ICU operates and functions, knows that the morale of staff is usually at its lowest, if there has been one or more long- term Patients in Intensive Care, as for Staff in Intensive Care, the higher turn- over Patients are more rewarding, especially if quick and marked improvements can be seen.

How Do Teeth Move During The Braces Treatment?

The purpose of the braces treatment is to help patients shift their teeth into a straight position. Over time, braces move the teeth applying a force that the orthodontist can control and adjust in each appointment. Braces have three basic parts that apply force to the teeth:

- Brackets: are made of metal or ceramic. They are glued to each tooth.

- Archwire: is a thin metal wire that goes into each bracket around the teeth. The arch wire force can be adjusted as needed sometimes by replacing it for a new wire.

- Elastics: are small colored elastics that hold the bracket onto the archwire. The elastics are changed every time they become loose at each adjustment visit to the orthodontist.

The movement of teeth involves different cells and tissues that form the periodontal ligament. The force that braces apply to the teeth stimulates the bones' cells and tissues to move gradually. The periodontal ligament attaches the teeth to the bone and helps the teeth withstand compressive forces of biting. The role of dental braces is to apply a regulated force that guides the teeth into a better position. Brackets produce pressure and tension to the root of the teeth. The archwire applies forces that can be adjusted and cause the teeth to move in a predictable direction. However teeth do not move immediately after braces are placed. The force applied during the braces treatment will start moving the cells and tissues approximately within two to three weeks.

Getting your braces tightened at each adjustment appointment may cause some discomfort or pain. However, this pain will disappear within one to two hours after braces have been tightened. Patients can control the pain by taking some over the counter medication. They should also remember to go to their adjustment appointments since they are very important for the success of the treatment. These appointment should be at least once a month. The more the patient delays these visits to their orthodontist the longer the treatment will take. If braces are not tightened often they will not work as intended. Patients that remove the elastics because they feel pain or discomfort are delaying the treatment even if this is only for a couple of days.

On the other hand, if patients constantly follow the instructions recommended by their orthodontists the treatment can be completed quickly. These instructions include not only to go to adjustment appointments but also to have a good oral hygiene and a proper care of your braces. Healthier teeth will move into the desire position quicker making the braces treatment shorter. When Braces are removed, a retainer has to be used. Retainers will keep the teeth in their new position since they tend to move back to the original position once braces have been taken off.

Storing Linens in a Hospital

Clean and sterile linens, changed frequently, can create the baseline of infection control at any major health care facility, but creating a proper linen care policy does not happen by accident. A hospital administrator needs to establish and enforce strict policies for storing bedding and other cloth in the hospital, whether soiled or clean.

Soiled Linens

Staff members tasked with the removal of soiled linens should be trained in the proper removal and handling of dirty sheets, towels and washcloths. While at home it may be no big deal to shake sheets out to find wayward socks, hospital staff need to be reminded that virtually every patient is a potential source of infection. Staff members should wear gloves whenever handling soiled bedding, and it should be folded toward the middle so that any contaminants in the sheets remain there.

Once the soiled bedding is collected, it should be placed in clearly marked carts or in bags which can then be closed, preventing infectious material and odors from the linens from permeating the area.

Soiled linens should then be pretreated with stain remover as necessary and placed in a loosely loaded washing machine. Stuffing as many sheets as possible into the washer is a good way to prevent cleanliness. They should be washed in hot water and detergent for a minimum of 10 minutes at 105 degrees Fahrenheit before being dried in dryers that reach a minimum of 160 degrees.

Clean Linens

Clean linens should be handled by staff members also wearing gloves to prevent them from transferring contaminants. Clean linens should be folded in an area separate from the handling area for soiled linens. Once folded, the bedding must be placed in clean laundry bags or on covered laundry carts for transporting to proper storage areas.

Unlike a home linen closet which typically gets cleaned during spring and fall cleaning or when things start tumbling down, hospital linen storage areas should be sanitized and sterilized often, preferably at least once a week. Clean linens should be kept in orderly stacks in the linen storage facility and removed only as needed. For transport between the linen storage area and the site where they are needed, clean linens should be kept on a linen cart which is sterilized daily. The cart should be kept covered.

The recommendations for hospital linen storage help prevent the spread of infectious disease and can easily be met by a professional linen service. A professional linen service can be contracted to maintain the cleanliness of the hospital's linen storage area as well as providing clean and sanitized linens. Professional linen services can provide proper storage and delivery of hospital linens as well as inventory and linen maintenance.

An Account of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive condition, that is not contagious, and it means that the sufferer is unable to use some of the muscles in their body in the normal way. There are three different types of cerebral palsy. Spastic cerebral palsy refers to stiffness and difficult movement, Athetoid cerebral palsy is the term used to describe involuntary and uncontrolled movements, while Ataxic cerebral palsy sufferers have a disturbed sense of balance and depth. It is usual for one person to exhibit aspects of all types of the condition. It is not curable, but through advanced technologies, many sufferers can lead productive lives.

Sandie, however, was left severely disabled. Now, in her mid-30s, she is just like she was as a two week old baby. Denise explains:

"Sandie has limited senses, we understand she has very little sight, and cannot hear, resulting in her never learning to talk. She recognises people only by their smell. When she wants something, she cries or screams, and we go through the usual things you would with a newborn. She gets advanced medical nutrition via a tube in her stomach and has done for years now, but she is able to drink water and thin fluids. If she isn't hungry or thirsty, we check to see if she has soiled herself, or if she is cold, or needs a cuddle. Illness can be very difficult because she can't tell us where it hurts. Recently, she had problems with her wisdom teeth and she needed a general anaesthetic because it would be too difficult to operate on her with just sedation."

Many children with cerebral palsy go on to get jobs and have a family, depending on how they are affected. Mark, aged 20, has a very different story to tell. He is able to do almost everything normally, and has injections in his legs to help him better control his walking. He works in IT, and lives in a semi-independent living complex with two other cerebral palsy sufferers.

Over the past years, there have been massive developments in the way that cerebral palsy is managed. Botox therapy is beneficial to some, who suffer with involuntary muscular spasms, but every case is unique and is managed as such.

Sandie has benefitted from some physical therapy sessions, but she will never have a normal life. Her mum says that although it sounds like a lot, managing the condition is quite easy once you get into a routine. With lots of support and a lot of learning, Denise has found the best way to spend her time when looking after Sandie, maximising her quality of life.

The Importance of an Inventory System for Linens

A hospital administrator's job is seemingly never done. You've got to make sure everything runs well, patients are cared for, and costs are kept under control despite rising prices for almost everything. Inventory control is imperative to keeping the hospital's overhead low, but hiring more people to keep track of the linens - not to mention washing and sterilizing them, folding them, and storing them - might just break your budget.

One easy solution is to hire a professional linen service. A professional linen service can handle maintaining and caring for your facility's linen needs, as well as keeping tight control over your inventory. Before you decide you can't afford to hire a professional linen service to keep your hospital linens clean and sterile, consider the time savings and the other benefits that come with having a professional do the job.

Better Patient Care

Your staff has more important things to worry about than sterilizing sheets or making sure that hospital towels are folded properly, but these functions are still vital to patient care. Patients expect and deserve linens that are comfortable, clean and wrinkle-free. A professional linen service knows how to get out stains from body fluids and cafeteria foods without resorting to harsh treatments that may irritate some patients' sensitive skin.

Rather than worry that your nurses will waste their valuable - and expensive - time calling about clean sheets, you can rest assured that a professional linen service will keep the supply closet stocked with linens that are ready to use.

Lower Costs

The first objection most hospital administrators have to professional linen services is the cost, but the price is a bargain when the other option is doing it in-house. A professional-grade laundry capable of removing stains and sterilizing linens requires expensive equipment, a variety of stain-fighting agents, and employees, not to mention space to operate.

At most hospitals, both space and employees are at a premium. The capital investment to keep a professional laundry running is high and the maintenance costs can be expensive as well. In addition, to operate an in-house linen system, the hospital needs people to wash, fold and distribute the linens, as well as space to store it. With a professional linen service, the hospital can simply designate areas for soiled linen carts and the service will retrieve the dirty laundry and restock linen storage areas with fresh sheets. Simply put, the reduced hassle and reduced overall cost of using a professional linen service will take one worry off your mind.

Staph Infections 101

Staph infections are caused by a type of germ called staphylococcus bacteria. If it is on the surface, staphylococcus bacteria can be harmless. Many healthy people have this somewhere on their skin or in their nose without any issues. However, if the bacteria travel deeper into your body as a result of a weakened immune system or if you come into contact with a particularly harmful strain, your health could seriously be at risk. The aim of Staph Infections 101 is to give a brief summary of the infection and how it can be recognized, treated, and prevented.

Symptoms
There are a wide range of symptoms that an infection from the staph bacteria can cause, but most infections begin with the skin. The most common sign will be the appearance of boils, pus-filled pockets on the skin, around the underarms, buttocks, and groin area. Children often suffer from a blistering rash called impetigo, which develops around the mouth and nose. Impetigo blisters often ooze before crusting over. Older patients tend to suffer from a condition called cellulitis in the lower legs and feet. This is an infection of the deeper layers of the skin, but may show up on the surface as redness and swelling. More serious symptoms of a staph infection can include bacteremia (blood poisoning), toxic shock syndrome, and septic arthritis.

Treatment
Treatment for staph infections will vary based upon what strain you have and what your symptoms are. Skin infections will most often be drained of any fluid buildup. To attack the infection itself, a doctor will test what exact strain is causing the affliction and then prescribe the antibiotic that is most likely to be effective. Two common antibiotics used are cephalosporin or nafcillin.

Prevention
One of the most common places to contract a staph infection is in a hospital. This is because the human turnover rate is very high, increasing the exchange of germs, and because hospital patients tend to have weaker immune systems. An easy way to help avoid this is by using hand sanitizer often, but a more effective way is for hospitals to ensure they have thoroughly sanitized sheets. In-house laundry systems are usually not as good as professional laundry services, and linens that have not been perfectly disinfected create the risk of cross-contamination. If you are running a hospital, keep this in mind as you consider your current linens situation and ways to decrease the likelihood of cross-contamination occurrences. If you are an individual, you can decrease your risk by keeping your hands clean and avoiding sharing personal items such as razors or towels.

The Little Things That Help Patients Feel Better

Studies have shown that patients with a higher morale actually tend to heal much more quickly than patients with a more pessimistic outlook. Though it may sometimes be difficult to inspire optimism in someone suffering from an illness, there are many small yet effective ways to help patients to feel better and to encourage higher morale, despite their ill health and sufferings. Surprisingly minor details in their daily lives can contribute to an overall outlook that is happier and more optimistic, and thus more conducive to getting well.

A Brighter Day

Being stuck inside can make anyone a feel bit stir crazy or just a little low. Sick patients often must stay inside for extended periods of time, and often there is little that can be done about this. However, the way a room is kept can really make a difference in just how "indoors" it feels. If there is a big window to let light in and a view, this is ideal. If not, the room can still be worked on to feel brighter and cheerier. Pristine hospital walls are already bright and white, but additions like fresh flowers or brightly colored pictures can really help to give a less "stuck inside" feel and brighten up the day.

Laughter

There is a very good reason for the saying "laughter is the best medicine." Laughter helps us to lighten the mood in any situation. When you are sick, laughter can be a large part of simply feeling normal in the face of discomfort, hardship, and possibly feelings of depression. Whether it is engaging in a funny conversation or watching a comedy, a regular dose of humor can do wonders for encouraging feelings of happiness and optimism.

Fresh and Comfortable Linens

This may sound like too small of a detail to make much of a difference, but it is easy to underestimate the importance of a comfortable bed to someone who spends as much time lying down as a sick patient. Having fresh and comfortable linens to lie down on can make the situation of being so often stuck in bed seem considerably less bleak. By having linens that look, smell, and feel clean, fresh, and soft, you can really brighten a sick patient's day and encourage optimistic feelings of comfort and wellness. By having linens professionally laundered, you can really make this little detail a big part of their daily enjoyments.

Advanced Medicine and Top Training at the University of Kentucky Hospital

First opened in 1962 as the UK College of Medicine and Albert B. "Happy" Chandler Hospital, the University of Kentucky Hospital has transformed into a state-of-the-art facility that both addresses a shortage of well-trained physicians and serves patients from around the country and the world. As a matter of fact, over 10,000 patients are transferred each year from various other hospitals because of the University of Kentucky Hospital's reputation for providing advanced medical treatment and attentive care. When such a need arises, guests are met with friendly smiles and restful accommodations at hotels in Lexington, Ky.

University of Kentucky Hospital houses a high quality academic medical center, providing talented students with the very best instruction and hands-on experience that can be offered. The hospital's campus also contains additional colleges in the healthcare related fields of Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Health Sciences and Public Health. It is ranked number one in the state and has received a triple designation for ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), the fifth U.S. medical center to do so.

This highly acclaimed university hospital, which can be easily accessed from numerous nearby hotels in Lexington, Ky, offers such key facilities and services as:

Level I trauma center which serves eastern Kentucky.

The UK Gill Heart Institute where some of the nation's leading heart specialists practice.

The UK Markey Cancer Center which offers the best and newest means of battling malignant diseases.

The region's only solid-organ transplant program.

The nationally recognized Kentucky Neuroscience Institute which combines the programs of neurosurgery and neurology.

The Kentucky Children's Hospital which meets the needs of critical pediatric patients via specialty and subspecialty services.

Friends and family can stay at one of the many fine hotels in Lexington, Ky that not only provide friendly and comfortable accommodations, but also offer convenient locations for those daily trips to visit loved ones admitted to the University of Kentucky Hospital. Whether you prefer booking a room in a lavish luxury hotel, a mid-range comfort hotel, or a money-saving budget hotel, Lexington proudly meets your accommodation needs.

When not checking on loved ones, families will find a large selection of entertaining activities positioned close to hotels in Lexington, Ky to keep minds off of dire situations. This beautiful city is known as the Horse Capital of the World, so there are plenty of horse-related venues for horse enthusiasts to enjoy. Visit Keeneland or the Red Mile for exhilarating horse races, stop by the Kentucky Horse Park, the American Saddle Horse Museum, the International Museum of the Horse, or take a relaxing tour of one of the many picturesque horse farms which breed these majestic animals.

Lexington is also a city rife with history and surrounded by natural beauty. Stop by and see the Waveland State Historical Site, the childhood home of Mary Todd Lincoln, or famed Kentucky statesman Henry Clay's estate. Bask in Kentucky's natural setting by visiting McConnell Springs, or taking a long walk along trails that wind through the Raven Run Nature Sanctuary.

When necessity brings you to the University of Kentucky Hospital, book a room at one of the accommodating hotels in Lexington, KY where you will experience down-home comfort and true southern charm.

Why Should a Paramedic IV Kit Contain a Portable IV Warmer?

A paramedic IV kit should contain a portable IV warmer to assist injury victims who need emergency infusions. When injury victims receive cold infusions, they often experience hypothermia, as the temperature of the liquid lowers their body temperature. By preventing IV-induced hypothermia, IV fluid warmers prevent the side effects of the malady, such as suppressed immune system function, cardiac arrest, and coagulation impairment. If an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) is considering implementing portable IV warmers, below are examples of conditions that the devices are helpful for treating.

Drug Overdose

Various types of illicit drugs and prescription drugs cause hypothermia when they are consumed in sufficient quantities. For example, overdosing on prescription tranquilizers, as in heroin use is known to cause hypothermia. Although chemically counteracting the effects of a drug overdose is typically the first order of treatment, helping the victim overcome hypothermia by administering heated IV fluids is an important form of treatment as well.

Over-consumption of Alcohol

Alcohol creates a feeling of warmth in the user by causing body heat to rise to the surface of the skin, but this process actually depletes body heat. When the drinker consumes enough alcohol, the user is impervious to cold temperatures. If he or she remains exposed to the cold, the action of the alcohol in his or her body may accelerate the progression of hypothermia, leading to nerve damage and potentially a coma. Administering an infusion with a paramedic IV kit that contains IV fluid warmers will help reverse the hypothermia.

Blood Loss

Blood loss is a common cause of hypothermia for many injury victims. As the blood loss progresses, the hypothermia also progresses, and vice versa. Hypothermia impairs the body's coagulation function by affecting platelet function, coagulation cascade, and fibrinolysis. An injury victim who experiences moderate to severe bleeding can enter a vicious cycle of hypothermia by increasing the blood loss, and the blood loss increasing hypothermia. Administering warm fluid while treating the wounds stops the cycle.

Exposure to Cold Temperatures

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures is the most well known cause of primary hypothermia. In many cases, the malady results from the patient being involved in an accident that eliminates his or her mobility, and leaves him or her exposed to cold weather. If a person has reached a moderate or severe state of hypothermia due to temperature exposure, treating him or her with blankets and ingestible liquids may not be enough. The patient may need a warm IV infusion to reverse his or her condition. Otherwise, the patient could enter a hypothermic coma.

Conclusion

A paramedic IV kit that contains IV fluid warmers helps first responders treat a variety of medical conditions that have hypothermia as a side effect, particularly: drug overdose, over-consumption of alcohol, and blood loss. In addition to being dangerous in itself, hypothermia has dangerous side effects, including: impaired coagulation, cardiac arrest, and suppressed immune system function, the latter of which increases the likelihood of bacterial infection. To learn more about the benefits of using portable blood warmers for EMS work, contact a supplier of EMS IV equipment today.

How to Avoid Bed Sores

Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers, are the painful condition that occurs when constant pressure is applied to soft tissue. They are most often the result of a patient being bedridden and unable to change positions of their own volition. Besides being extremely painful, bed sores can lead to many dangerous complications for sufferers, including osteomyelitis (a bone infection), sepsis (whole-body inflammation), anemia, and gangrene. Here is a brief guide on how you can help keep a bedridden patient from developing this extremely uncomfortable and dangerous condition.

Proper Nutrition

A critical but often forgotten aspect of keeping patients protected from bed sores is making sure that they receive adequate amounts of protein, calories, and vitamin C. Many studies have revealed that patients with a healthy diet and high levels of vitamin C are both less likely to develop bed sores and quicker to recover from them than those with deficiencies. Getting the right nutrients should be a given for all hospital patients, because proper nutrition is such an important factor for overall health. However, if a patient is found to be developing pressure ulcers frequently, their nutritional intake should be investigated and, if necessary, supplemented with vitamins.

Frequent Position Shifts

The most important step to take in avoiding the development or worsening of a bed sore is to frequently redistribute pressure by shifting and turning the patient's position at regular intervals. Since this idea was developed in the 1940s by British neurologist Ludwig Guttmann, the standard practice has been to administer these shifts every two hours. However, despite the revolutionary improvements this method has added to the hospital world, the two-hour rule might not be best for all patients, depending on their conditions. If possible, specific conditions and circumstances should be taken into account when determining how often a patient should be moved.

Fresh Linens

The easiest way to prevent pressure ulcers, and thus the least excusable to overlook, is to make sure that patients are resting on fresh linens. The best way to ensure that your linens are as fresh as possible is by recruiting a professional laundry service to take care of the job for you. Expertly washed sheets will have bedridden patients resting as easily and comfortably as possible, and you can rest assured that you have done your best to protect them. Though this should go without being stated, be sure that linens, once cleaned, are changed regularly and perhaps more often than usual for patients who are unable to change position on their own.

Kentucky Children's Hospital - Excellent Care for Kids

University of Kentucky Children's Hospital was created through the efforts of University of Kentucky physicians who were being trained and practiced there in order to meet the needs of children across the state. The hospital opened in August of 1997 and its name shortened to Kentucky Children's Hospital in 2005. Accommodation needs of the families of children being treated at the facility are met by a variety of pleasant hotels in Lexington, Ky.

Kentucky Children's Hospital is an academic medical center that provides pediatric care for children with illness or injuries which are life-threatening. The hospital contains over 70 specialists and sub-specialists and over 300 pediatric nurses, all of which are skilled in a variety of children's medical needs. Each year, over 6,000 patients are treated at Kentucky Children's Hospital.

Outreach clinics have been established across the area and are visited by physicians who offer both healthcare services and education for such needs as asthma, cardiology, neurology and diabetes. Outpatient and ambulatory services are provided by Polk-Dalton Clinic, Kentucky Clinic, and Kentucky Clinic South. Many patients are also treated at the Makenna David Pediatric Emergency Center which provides trauma and pediatric emergency care 24 hours a day. This center is also the only one in the state of Kentucky verified by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma as a Level I pediatric trauma center.

Some 60,000 children are administered care each year through this efficient network of Kentucky Children's Hospital clinics. Regardless of which facilities are utilized, visitors will find nearby hotels in Lexington, Ky at which to stay.

The dedicated and compassionate doctors, nurses and staff at Kentucky Children's Hospital work closely together to provide care for a wide array of injuries, illnesses, and diseases that plague children. The hospital contains 66 beds in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, 58 of which are classified as Level III for severely ill newborns and 8 classified as Level II for newborns that require immediate care. The facility also contains 55 Acute Care beds, 12 Pediatric Intensive Care beds, eight beds for around the clock observation, and 26 normal nursery beds for newborns.

Besides treatment beds, Kentucky Children's Hospital also houses a Ronald McDonald room and three children playrooms containing a computer room and a library with books and movies where child patients, families and siblings can find entertainment 24 hours a day. There are also three consultation rooms and four sleeping rooms available for parents who have children in the intensive care unit. For parents of children not in intensive care, hotels in Lexington, Ky provide comfortable rooms from which to conveniently visit their children that have been admitted to Kentucky Children's Hospital.

Although injuries, illnesses and diseases are devastating when they occur to children, parents can find some comfort in knowing that the Kentucky Children's Hospital is well equipped with caring and highly skilled staff and the latest technology. It is also comforting to know that a large selection of hotels in Lexington KY, are available to meet the accommodation needs of those from a variety of financial situations.

Quadriplegia - What Is It Really?

Quadriplegia is referred as the condition in which a person suffers a four limb paralysis. This usually happens as a result of cervical injuries. Quadriplegia is also called Tetraplegia. Based on the severity of the injury, there are several levels defined in Quadriplegia. In levels C-4 and above, the person may require ventilators or electrical implants to breathe. This is because any damage to spinal nerves present in the upper level of the neck directly affects the diaphragm. Similarly, different levels determine dysfunction of various parts of the body. C-5 affects wrist or hand, C-6 hand function; C-7 may straighten arms but result in dexterity problems in hands and wrist.

There are many causes of Quadriplegia. A car accident or a mishap during a sport activity is the most common cause of neck injuries, hence often leading to Quadriplegia. A spinal disease like a tumor may also be one of the causes of quadriplegia. The lesions caused by any of the above affect the person's mobility of all limbs partially or completely.

Most common accidents resulting in trauma, hence Quadriplegia are auto accident, gunshot wound, and fall or sport injury. This may affect the person's lower extremities, upper extremities or the entire trunk from the neck down. Most common diseases which result in Quadriplegia are transverse myelitis, polio and spina bifida.

The first symptom of quadriplegia is loss of a person's movement after an accident or inactivity due to illness. Loss of sensation, loss of sensitivity to heat, cold and touch, loss of bowel and bladder control exaggerated reflex activities, uncontrollable hand movements and drooling are other few symptoms of quadriplegia. A spinal cord injury above the neck also results in inability to breathe without a respirator. Injuries below the neck affect limbs and other lower parts of the body.

Every patient of Quadriplegia needs to be treated differently based on his level and severity of condition. Patients may have a different nature of injury causing quadriplegia. The first area of treatment is the dysfunctional part of the body as a result of injury. Spinal cord treatment prevents and controls further damage to spinal cord, thereby bringing people back to normal life with certain disabilities. Conservative treatment of pressure sores are used in stages 1 and 2 of the injury. The treatment includes appropriate wound care, debridement of necrotic tissue, nutrition optimization, pressure release and Muscle spasticity minimization. This treatment gives the person an opportunity to heal with time and slowly retire to normal life.

EMS IV Kit Equipment: The Importance of Portable IV Warmers

Hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature falls below 95°F. In many cases, the condition occurs gradually due to exposure to cold weather, but it can also occur almost instantaneously when a person receives a cold IV fluid infusion. According to research, in 2010, the majority of IV infusions that were delivered in hospitals and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) vehicles were delivered cold. When a hospital unit or an EMS IV kit does not contain a portable IV warmer, hospital patients and injury victims are likely to experience one of the following hypothermia related complications.

Hospital-Acquired Infections

In the immune system, hypothermia impairs neutrophil and microphage function, and increases the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections, particularly bacterial wound infections. Administering warm IV fluids during and after surgery helps prevent infection.

Cardiac Arrest

Hypothermia increases the risk of cardiac arrest by creating: systemic and pulmonary vasoconstriction, increasing arterial blood pressure, and increasing the risk of ventricular dysrhythmias and myocardial ischaema. Research has shown that giving warm IV infusions to hypothermic patients helps prevent postoperative cardiac arrest, which can occur due to the cooling effect that anesthesia has on the body.

Increased Oxygen Consumption

In the final stage of hypothermia, oxygen consumption slows due to organ failure, but in the initial stage, oxygen consumption increases due to shivering and tachycardia (accelerated heart beat). These responses occur automatically as the body attempts to generate heat. Tachycardia can be dangerous for those who have serious heart conditions, and intense shivering makes it difficult for a person to assist himself or herself by performing basic physical tasks.

Coma

When hypothermia progresses to the point of contracting surface blood vessels and decreasing the heart rate, the person may fall into a coma. The contraction of surface blood vessels occurs in moderate hypothermia; while decreased heart rate is a sign of severe hypothermia. If the patient remains in a severe state of hypothermia, he or she will lapse into a coma and die due to organ failure. An EMS IV kit that contains a portable IV warmer will help prevent this from happening by raising the core body temperature of the person via a warm IV fluid infusion.

Impaired Coagulation

Hypothermia impairs coagulation function by affecting platelet function, coagulation cascade, and fibrinolysis. Platelet function is impaired due to reduced levels of thromboxane B2 near the injury; coagulation cascade is reduced because the enzymes that are required for the cascade are temperature dependent; fibrinolysis is increased, which destabilizes the clot and causes increased bleeding. Because hypothermia is often thought to "slowing down" the body's functions, it is mistakenly thought to have a positive effect on coagulation, but the opposite is true. When injury victims bleed to death, primary or secondary hypothermia may be a contributing factor.

Conclusion

An EMS IV kit that contains an IV fluid infusion system for warming IV fluids helps prevent dangerous side-effects of hypothermia, including: hospital-acquired infections, cardiac arrest, increased oxygen consumption, coma, and impaired coagulation. For more information about preventing hypothermia with warm IV fluids, contact a supplier of IV warmers today.

Why A First Responder IV Kit Should Contain a Portable IV Warmer

A first responder IV kit should contain a portable IV fluid warmer that delivers warm IV infusions to injury victims. Although Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and hospitals commonly administer cold IV infusions, an infusion whose temperature is below 95°F often does more harm than good, as it predisposes the patient to hypothermia. If a hospital or an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) does not use IV warmers, below are four reasons to start using them as soon as possible.

Prevention of Hypothermia

Intravenous liquids that are below 95°F can lower core body temperature to below 95°F, and cause the onset of hypothermia. Unlike hypothermia that results from the prolonged exposure to the cold, IV-induced hypothermia may be present in a short period of time. Heating intravenous liquids before they are administered prevents IV-induced hypothermia. It may also resolve existing hypothermia, and prevent the hypothermia-related side effects listed below.

Deterrence of Hospital-Acquired Infections

Hospital-acquired infections occur under several circumstances. Because hypothermia compromises immune functions, it predisposes the patient to all types of hospital-acquired infections. In particular concern are bacterial infections that occur in surgical wounds. Anesthesia may cause core body temperature to drop and with the hypothermic effect of cold IV liquids added in, the patient has a high risk of wound infection. Administering heated IV liquids before, during, and after surgery helps reduce the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections.

Reduce the Risk of Cardiac Arrest

When a patient receives a cold infusion, their risk of experiencing cardiac arrest significantly increases. This is because the drop in core body temperature increases the risk for ventricular dysrhythmias and myocardial ischaema. By using the IV fluid warmer in a first responder IV kit, paramedics eliminate the possibility of cardiac arrest that results from IV-induced hypothermia.

Prevention of Coagulation Impairment

Coagulation impairment is one of the side effects of hypothermia. Hypothermia causes coagulation impairment by affecting platelet function, coagulation cascade, and fibrinolysis. When an injury victim is experiencing blood loss and hypothermia simultaneously, each condition increases the severity of the other.

Treating the wounds while administering heated IV liquids is the best way to resolve the dangerous condition.

Prevention of Coma

When a person experiences severe hypothermia, he or she is on the brink of entering a hypothermic coma, which is the final phase of hypothermia before death. Although heated IV infusions can reverse the course of severe hypothermia, the goal is to administer them before the patient experiences hypothermia, or while his or her hypothermia is only moderate. Using a warmer that is ready for use in less than two minutes allows paramedics to do this.

Conclusion

A first responder IV kit that contains an IV fluid warmer helps paramedics combat hypothermia, and prevents its dangerous side effects, such as hospital-acquired infections, cardiac arrest, impaired coagulation, and a coma. Hospitals and EMS crews traditionally deliver intravenous infusions whose liquid is below 95°F. However, as the dangers of administering cold IV infusions become well known, this trend is gradually changing. To learn more about portable IV warmers, contact a supplier of EMS IV products today.

Linens and Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

The word "superbug" is a very scary new concept. The bacteria we have fought long and hard against by developing antibiotic medications were kept down for quite a while. Unfortunately, it now seems that they are evolving more rapidly than ever. This means that the infections and diseases that were once quite simple to treat are now complicated. While there is hope for the development of new antibiotics to rise to the challenge of fighting these strains, for now the best possible line of defense is to prevent the spread of dangerous bacteria before infections can even occur. Most people seem to have accepted the concept of proper hand sanitization, and this continues to be very important practice. The newest way to protect yourself and everyone around you is equally important: an awareness of the dangers that improperly sanitized linens and clothes may pose in the spread of disease.

Remember That Cloth Carries Germs

That cloth can carry germs is an easy fact to forget. However, we must keep this potential danger in mind. A recent study has revealed that one of the most dangerous strains of the bacteria that can cause staph infections, called Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is causing infections that have been transferred significantly through making contact with clothing and linens. This potentially fatal infection is particularly risky in a hospital setting, where many patients will have immune systems that will certainly not be up to the task of protecting them. It is critical, then, that hospitals have their linens, and ideally all uniforms and clothing as well, professionally sanitized by a laundering service. Though other precautions, like hand washing and sanitary bathroom conditions, are still very important, knowledge of these precautions is already very widespread. Most people know to keep their hands clean, especially after touching doorknobs and items in bathrooms. It is so easy to forget, however, that we spend a lot of time touching our own clothing, and patients their sheets, because these are not materials society has yet widely accepted as possible contamination carriers.

New Textile Technologies

Fortunately, in response to these increasingly antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, textile technology is improving. New materials are being made available that help to fight against the spread of infection. One of the main features of these super-linens is to be fluid-resistant. This means that fluids will be for the most part repelled away from the fabrics, which ideally will also repel the vast majority of the bacteria that they may contain. With rigorous laundering methods, along with the use of newly available fabrics, hospitals and other facilities with a high patient turnover should be taking every precaution necessary to prevent the spread of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Paramedic IV Equipment: Choosing the Best Portable IV Warmer

A portable IV warming system is an important piece of paramedic IV equipment. Without the system, paramedics would administer cold infusions - a practice that induces hypothermia and worsens existing hypothermia. When an infusion causes hypothermia, it also increases the patient's chance of experiencing a host of side effects that result from the malady, some of which are life threatening: increased risk of cardiac arrest, impaired immune system function, and impaired coagulation are all associated with hypothermia. Administering heated infusions helps prevent these side effects.

Choosing the Best Warmer

Different IV warmers have specific characteristics that affect their performance, and make them more or less accommodating to the needs of paramedics. When shopping for the right model, consider the following criteria before making a purchase.

Set Up and Heat Up Times

Some models take as long as 12 minutes to set up and heat up. In many cases, critically injured patients simply cannot wait this long before they receive an infusion. Therefore, the goal should be to find a model that is ready to use in the shortest amount of time. Currently, the most efficient model can be set up and heated up in one minute and 15 seconds.

Weight With the Battery Attached

The heaviest warmers weigh over ten pounds with the battery attached - a weight that makes it more difficult for paramedics to move across challenging terrain. Ideally, paramedic IV equipment should be light enough for a first responder to carry it on his or her person. Weighing less than two pounds with the battery attached, the lightest portable IV warming system is quite portable, and can be attached to one's person using a carabineer clip.

Tubing

IVwarmers use one of two types of tubing: standard or proprietary. Standard tubing is available from any supplier of IV equipment, whereas proprietary tubing must be purchased from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Consequently, proprietary tubing costs more than standard tubing. In most cases, the former does not offer a special benefit, which makes buying a device that uses standard tubing the most economical choice.

Method of Temperature Measurement

It is important to note how the temperature of the liquid is measured. The most common methods of temperature measurement are:

Measuring the temperature of the heating plates that heat the liquid

Measuring the temperature of the circulating water that heats the liquid

Measuring the temperature of the fluid with a temperature sensor

As one would expect, directly measuring the temperature of the liquid is the most reliable method of temperature measurement, and the only method that ensures the liquid is 95°F or above.

Flow Rate

The flow rate of a warmer should accommodate all types of infusions. Choosing a model that has a flow rate of 2-150 ml/min is the best option.

Conclusion

A portable IV fluid warming system helps paramedics combat hypothermia in injury victims. By preventing hypothermia, paramedics help prevent hypothermia-related maladies such as: cardiac arrest, impaired immune system function, and impaired coagulation. To learn more about portable IV warmers, contact a supplier of paramedic IV equipment.

Helpful Tips When Choosing an EMS Fluid Warmer

An EMS fluid warmer helps paramedics and ER doctors prevent hypothermia in injury victims. Traditionally, an IV fluid infusion is delivered cold - a practice that predisposes patients to hypothermia and its side effects, including:

Hospital-acquired wound infections

Cardiac arrest

Increased oxygen consumption

Impaired coagulation

Coma

Although all IV warmers perform the same function, different models have different specifications that affect their usefulness in emergency situations. Below are tips for choosing a model that is ideal for delivering emergency infusions.

Find out how long the device takes to set up and heat

The length of time that is required to set up and heat the device has a significant impact in the health of the patient. Some warmers take over ten minutes to set up and heat, while others take less than two minutes. Considering the tight timeframes for delivering emergency transfusions, hospitals and EMS crews should use a device that is ready for use in less than two minutes.

Ask about the weight of the device with the battery attached

The weight of an EMS fluid warmer affects its portability. Because EMS crews often travel over difficult terrain to reach injury victims, they need a device that is lightweight with the battery attached. Some portable IV fluid infusion systems weigh several pounds with the battery attached, while others weigh less than two pounds. The latter are ideal for EMS crews.

Find out whether the device is disposable or reusable

A disposable device has three advantages over a reusable device: it eliminates the cost sterilization and maintenance, prevents bacterial infections that result from improper sterilization, and allows EMS crews to travel light. Although it is disposable, patients use the device throughout their hospital stay.

Ask About how the device reads the temperature of the liquid

Placing a temperature sensor in the path of the liquid is the best method of temperature measurement. Other methods, such as measuring the temperature of the warming plates or the circulating water, measure the temperature of the liquid indirectly. Only by directly measuring the liquid's temperature do paramedics and physicians know whether it has reached the right temperature.

Find out whether the device uses proprietary tubing

Proprietary tubing sounds as if it delivers a special benefit, but this is usually not the case. However, it still costs more than standard tubing, and must be ordered from the manufacturer. In most cases, using a device that requires proprietary tubing increases the operating cost of the customer without improving its standard of care.

Conclusion

Shopping for a portable EMS fluid warmer presents hospitals and EMS crews with several options. To choose the best device, EMS services and hospitals should consider the tips above. In most cases, the best portable IV fluid infusion system is one that is ready to use in less than two minutes, weighs less than two pounds, is disposable, directly reads the temperature of the liquid, and uses standard tubing. For more information about choosing an IV warmer for emergency rooms and EMS units, contact a supplier a paramedic IV supplies today.

Choosing a Paramedic Blood Warmer: Frequently Asked Questions

A paramedic blood warmer allows paramedics to deliver a warm IV fluid infusion to injury victims - a measure that helps prevent hypothermia and its dangerous side effects, such as cardiac arrest, impaired immune systems, and impaired coagulation. If an EMS service is considering implementing portable IV warmers in its paramedic IV kits, and there are questions about which type of warmer to choose, the answer below will help.

How long should it take the warmer to be ready for service?

The device should be ready to use in less than two minutes. The most efficient model has a set up time of 30 seconds, and a warm up time of 45 seconds. In comparison, other models take over ten minutes to be ready for service - a period of time that is too long for patients who need emergency infusions.

How much should the warmer weigh?

The real question is how much should the device with the battery attached weigh? The weight of some models more than doubles when the battery is attached; while other warmers remain relatively light after the battery is added. Ideally, the device should weigh less than two pounds with the battery connected. Models that weigh more than this may make it harder for EMS crews to move over difficult terrain.

What type of tubing should the warmer use?

A paramedic blood warmer should ideally use standard tubing instead of proprietary tubing, because of its three disadvantages. It is more expensive than standard tubing; it must be ordered from the manufacturer, and it rarely offers a benefit to the IV fluid infusion process.

What method of temperature measurement should the warmer use?

The device should measure the temperature of the liquid directly. Placing a temperature sensor in the fluid path is the best way to do this. Some warmers use indirect methods of temperature measurement, such as measuring the temperature of warming plates or circulating water. These methods do not ensure that the liquid is the right temperature.

What are the benefits of a disposable model?

A disposable model has at least three benefits: it does not require sterilization or maintenance; it eliminates the possibility of acquired infections due to improper sterilization, and it prevents field crews from lugging around equipment that must be sterilized before it is used again. A patient can use the same disposable warmer throughout his or her hospital stay.

What flow rate should the warmer Have?

The device should have a flow rate of 2-150 ml/min to accommodate various types of infusions. Models that have a narrower flow rate may be inappropriate for certain types of infusions.

Conclusion

A paramedic blood warmer allows paramedics to deliver a heated IV fluid infusion that helps prevent hypothermia and its side effects, such as cardiac arrest, impaired immune systems, and impaired coagulation. If an EMS service needs information about IV warmers, reading the answers above is a good place to start. For additional information about the devices, contact a supplier of EMS IV equipment today.

A Portable EMS Fluid Warmer Has Several Benefits

An EMS fluid warmer heats IV liquid before it is administered to the patient - a simple process that helps prevent the patient from experiencing hypothermia and the conditions it may cause. IV fluid warmers come in two models: portable, battery-powered models and non-portable models that require electricity. For a hospital or EMS service that is considering which type of model to use, below are five reasons to use a portable model instead of a conventional one.

Easy to Transport Over Challenging Terrain

When a first responder must reach an injury victim in a rough terrain, having a portable IV warmer is a benefit for both the responder and the injured victim. Models that weigh less than two pounds with the battery attached, and can be carried via a carabineer clip, are now available. Without IV warmers that offer this level of portability, many injury victims would be forced to receive cold IV infusions.

Easy to Transport Through Hospitals

Portable warmers are also easier to transport through hospitals. Instead of unplugging the device when a patient leaves one hospital area and plugging it back in when they reach another, the device can be transported without losing its function. This ensures that the patient does not experience hypothermia, which could lead to cardiac arrest or hospital-acquired infections.

Can Be Applied in the Ambulance

A portable EMS fluid warmer can be applied to a patient's IV system as he or she travels to the hospital, and may be used during their hospital stay. When injury victims suffer from blood loss, exposure to cold weather, over consumption of alcohol, or other conditions that lower body temperature, delivering a heated infusion as quickly as possible is crucial for preventing hypothermia. When an IV warmer is included in paramedic supplies, paramedics can prevent injury victims from arriving in the hospital in a state of hypothermia.

Can Be Used in Non-Clinical Settings

Portable IV warmers can go where conventional IV warmers cannot, such as: onto the battlefield, over rugged terrain, down alleyways, and into other areas where electrical outlets are inaccessible. Until recently, injury victims in these locations had no choice but to receive cold IV infusions. Today, a portable IV warmer can provide them with a warm infusion, and reduce their chance of experiencing hypothermia.

Can Be Purchased in Disposable Form

Disposable models eliminate maintenance expense, and prevent bacterial infections that result from improper sterilization. They also make it easy for EMS crews to travel light.

Conclusion

A portable IV warmer has several benefits that a conventional one does not. If a hospital or emergency service is considering whether to use a portable EMS fluid warmer or a conventional one, remember that the former offers the advantages of being easy to transport over challenging terrain and through hospitals. It can also be applied in ambulances and other non-clinical settings. To learn about the specifications of portable IV warmers, contact a seller of paramedic supplies today.

An EMS IV Kit Should Contain a Portable IV Warmer

An EMS IV kit contains fire and EMS supplies that help paramedics administer IV infusions, but a portable IV warmer is often not one of the supplies. In many cases, the omission of a portable IV warmer from an IV kit complicates the treatment of hypothermia. When infusions are delivered cold, hypothermia worsens. Cold infusions can cause hypothermia by lowering the body temperature to under 95°F. IV warmers help prevent hypothermia by warming liquids to a temperature in the range of 95 - 100°F before the patient receives it.

Complications of Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature falls below 95°F. Below this temperature, the effects of hypothermia may be barely noticeable, but as the body temperature drops further, extreme shivering and unconsciousness can occur. The patient is also at an increased risk for cardiac arrest and hospital-acquired infections, because hypothermia diminishes the effectiveness of the vascular system, and decreases the strength of the immune system. Cardiac arrest often occurs after the patient receives a cold IV infusion, and hospital-acquired infections that result from hypothermia commonly arise after surgery.

Due to the complications that hypothermia brings to surgery, resolving hypothermia is best done before the patient reaches the hospital. However, many EMS services do not include a portable warmer among the fire and EMS supplies in an EMS IV kit. In 2010, almost none of the 4 million IV infusions delivered by EMS crews were administered with an IV warmer. Furthermore, only four percent of the 45 million infusions that were delivered in hospitals in 2010 were administered with a warmer. This exposes injury victims who receive infusions to serious health risks that could be prevented by using a portable warmer.

Choosing the Right Warmer

Not all IV warmers are created equally, particularly when it comes to emergency care. Below are eight considerations that hospitals and emergency services should make before they purchase a portable warmer:

Temperature Control - The device should have a sensor in the fluid path that measures the temperature of the fluid.

Set Up Time - The device should have a setup time of less than 30 seconds.

Warm Up Time - The device should have a warm up time of less than 45 seconds.

Tubing - The device should use standard tubing instead of proprietary tubing.

Weight - The device should ideally weigh less than two pounds with the battery attached.

Flow rate - The device should have a flow rate of 2-150 ml/min

A warmer that has these characteristics helps ensure that infusions are delivered quickly and at the correct temperature. They also save the user money by not requiring standard tubing, and have a lightweight design that makes them easy to transport in ambulances.

Conclusion

An EMS IV kit should contain a portable IV warmer among its fire and EMS supplies. Without a warmer at their disposal, paramedics have difficultly treating hypothermia; and they may cause hypothermia by administering cold infusions. To learn more about the benefits of portable IV warmers for hospital care and emergency care, contact a seller of EMS products today.

EMS IV Equipment: Tips for Choosing the Best IV Warmer

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.

Will IV Fluid Warming Devices Prevent the Effects of Hypothermia?

Paramedics are asked to travel to a variety of different environments and tend to numerous ailments suffered by individuals. While some ailments are best treated at a medical facility and require paramedics to do very little, other ailments need to be addressed promptly. In these instances, there is not enough time for the victim to be transported to a medical facility, and treatment must be handled by the paramedic. One such ailment is hypothermia. This condition describes an instance when an individual's core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

To counter hypothermia, efforts must be made to bring the core body temperature back to a safe range, and an IV fluid warming device does just that by administering warm fluids that provide the body with nutrients and help heat the body. If paramedic IV equipment does not include an IV fluid warming device, then hypothermia will be more difficult to suppress, and there is even the possibility that an individual who is suffering another ailment will develop hypothermia if the IV fluids that are administered are too cold.

To further illustrate the need for an IV fluid warming device, consider the three stages of hypothermia:

Mild

This is the first stage of hypothermia and is characterized by the least severe side effects. Individuals might exhibit nervous system excitation, like shivering or hypertension. These are physiological responses intended to generate heat. One might even exhibit mental confusion as hypothermia starts to affect their mental capacities. Hyperglycemia might also be observed, especially in those who are suffering hypothermia due to inebriation. Paramedic IV equipment is used to keep hypothermia patients in this state from advancing to the next stage.

Moderate

When core body temperature continues to fall, shivering becomes more violent as the body attempts to generate body heat. While the victim might appear to be alert, his or her movements will be slower. The body focuses entirely on keeping vital organs warm, which causes surface blood vessels to contract. The end result is paleness because lips, ears, fingers, and toes turn blue. Paramedics will use IV fluid warming devices to provide warm fluids to the victim, which will then cause the core body temperature to increase.

Severe

This is the worst stage of hypothermia and is seen in patients with a core body temperature of roughly 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Physiological systems begin to slow down as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate all decrease. Serious problems like trouble with speaking, sluggish thinking, and amnesia appear while stumbling and the inability to use one's hands are also observed. Eventually, the victim's walking will become impossible, muscle coordination will be poor and the skin will turn blue.

Severe hypothermia can lead to death if not treated using heated paramedic IV equipment. Paramedics must make sure that IV fluid warming resources are lightweight, battery-powered, and easy-to-use so that few seconds are wasted while getting the device ready to use. Reach out to a vendor of IV fluid warming supplies to find a simple, portable device for paramedic use.

Choosing an EMS IV Warmer: Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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How an IV Fluid Warmer Combats Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition. It refers when the core body temperature falls below the lowest temperature at which normal metabolism and bodily functions can take place. Mild symptoms might include shivering or mental confusion, while severe symptoms include amnesia, fast heart rates, and even major organ failure. Hypothermia occurs most frequently when individuals spend an unusual amount of time in extremely low temperatures, but there are other situations or locations that can produce hypothermia. In some cases, hypothermia can develop during a medical setting while being treated for other ailments. Since hypothermia requires its own treatment process and needs to be neutralized as quickly as possible, having an individual suffer hypothermia while they are already dealing with another ailment can put their health in jeopardy. This is why it is critical for every first responder IV kit to contain an IV fluid warmer. The rest of this article will explain the role of an IV fluid warmer in preventing hypothermia.

Treatment of hypothermia starts in the field. Timing is everything when treating hypothermia, and the sooner the condition is neutralized, the better. Unfortunately, many first responders lack the proper resources to treat hypothermia. These tools include warm, humidified oxygen and warm IV fluids to keep the core temperature from falling further. An IV fluid warmer is a device that can be used to quickly heat intravenous (IV) fluids. This means that those who are already experiencing hypothermia will be able to warm their body temperature thanks to the admission of these heated fluids. Those who are suffering another complication will not contract hypothermia due to the addition of fluids that are below core body temperature. An IV fluid warmer is an essential part of any first responder IV kit, but all warmers are not created equal.

As mentioned earlier, timing is of the essence when working to prevent or counteract hypothermia. Setup and warm-up times will vary depending on the device manufacturer, but the ideal setup time is 30 seconds. A warm-up time of 45 seconds is ideal for an IV fluid warmer. A device that can be built and heated in this time frame can begin to provide relief in just over one minute. A first responder IV kit should also be constructed in a way to not slow first responders down. Bulky devices that need to be plugged in to have power are impractical for field use, while lightweight (ideally under two pounds) devices that can run on battery power are preferred for field use. Additionally, first responders will be able to carry less in their first responder IV kit if the device has a sizeable flow rate range. A flow rate of 2-150 ml/minute is best because it means that a single device can be used to treat many different types of infusions.

Since timing is crucial when first responders are trying to prevent or treat hypothermia, it is important that a first responder IV kit is present. The device should also be portable and offer a wide range of options so that individuals do not have to waste time trying to find the proper device.

Evaluating Fluid Warmer Options: FAQ

When it comes time for medical professionals to purchase paramedic blood warmer devices, they will undoubtedly have a lot of questions. This article will take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions during the buying process and provide answers for them.

What is a fluid warmer?

A fluid warmer is a device that is used to heat liquids like intravenous (IV) fluids or blood before they are given to a patient. While hospitals and other medical facilities have devices that are powered by being plugged into an AC outlet, a first responder on the field will need a battery-powered option.

Why is a fluid warmer necessary?

The main reason for using this device before administering fluids is to prevent hypothermia. When fluids are provided at a temperature that is much lower than the victim's core body temperature, individuals will see their core body temperature drop and be susceptible to the threat of hypothermia.

What is hypothermia?

Hypothermia is the medical condition that indicates when an individual's core body temperature has dropped below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The standard range for individuals in biological homeostasis is 98-100 degrees Fahrenheit. In the early stages of hypothermia, individuals will be shivering as they try to generate body heat. In later stages, body parts will turn blue, heart rate and respiration rate will fall, and amnesia will settle in. If it continues to go untreated, hypothermia can even be fatal.

Can a fluid warmer treat hypothermia or only prevent it?

While a fluid warmer is used to heat liquids before they are given to patients, this device can also be used to treat hypothermia. By heating blood or IV fluids with a fluid warmer, the medical professional will be able to increase a hypothermia victim's body heat by allowing him or her to provide warm liquids to the victim. When an individual does not have hypothermia but is suffering from another ailment like blood loss, trauma, or drug overdose, he or she is vulnerable to hypothermia. If blood is provided to the individual without using a paramedic blood warmer to heat the fluid, the blood will be so cold that it reduces the individual's body temperature and triggers hypothermia. Since an individual who needs blood is already suffering from one ailment, he or she cannot afford to be battling hypothermia at the same time.

What are the characteristics of an ideal fluid warmer?

An ideal fluid warmer is one that can be used in the field by paramedics or first responders. A portable device is one that is lightweight (under two pounds) and runs on battery power. The device should also be easy-to-use, with a set-up time that is under 30 seconds and a warm-up time around 45 seconds, so that blood or IV fluids can be provided with little delay. Some paramedic blood warmer devices have set-up instructions printed on the device, so paramedics can save time by avoiding confusion.

These are just some of the questions that are commonly asked about fluid warmer devices. Additional questions should be directed to a supplier of fluid warming supplies.