An EMS IV warmer is a portable IV warmer that paramedics use in the field, and hospitals use in surgery units, emergency rooms, and other areas where infusions are administered on short notice. IV warmers are not new, but portable models are a recent addition to EMS products, and have not been adopted by all EMS services. If you manage an EMS service that is considering implementing the devices, but you need information about their usefulness and specifications, the answers below should help.
What types of adverse health conditions do the devices prevent?
The devices prevent IV induced hypothermia. They also help resolve existing hypothermia. Hypothermia is dangerous in itself, but for many injury victims, its greatest risk involves cardiac arrest and hospital-acquired infections. A significant drop in core body temperature increases the patient's chances of experiencing these things.
How quickly can the devices be set up and heated?
Some models take several minutes to set up and heat, while others take less than two minutes. The most efficient model takes thirty seconds to set up and forty-five seconds to heat. A combined set up and heat up time of less than two minutes is ideal for treating injury victims.
What type of temperature measurement do the devices use?
The most common methods of temperature measurement are: measuring the temperature of the heating plates that heat the fluid, measuring the temperature of circulating water that heats the fluid, and directly measuring the temperature of the fluid. An EMS IV warmer that uses the latter method offers the most accurate temperature readings.
What is the weight of the device with the battery attached?
Some suppliers of EMS products sell models that weigh several pounds with the battery attached. The model that weighs the least with the battery attached weighs less than two pounds.
What flow rate does the device have?
Different models have different flow rates. Because injury victims require various types of infusions, a model that has a flow rate of 2-150 ml/min is ideal.
Are the devices disposable or reusable?
Some models are disposable, while others are reusable. The advantage of disposable models is that they do not require sterilization, and thus eliminate the possibility of infection due to poor sterilization. The advantage of reusable models is that they can be used more than once.
How long can a disposable model be used for the same patient?
A disposable model can be used for the same patient for an extended period of time. If an injury victim arrives in the hospital with a disposable warmer in place, the patient may use the device throughout their hospital stay.
Conclusion
An EMS IV warmer is one of the most essential EMS products that a paramedic carries. Injury victims commonly experience hypothermia, and delivering cold IV infusions may worsen the condition. Worsening hypothermia can increase the patient's risk of cardiac arrest and hospital-acquired infections - two maladies that frequently befall hypothermia victims. Portable IV warmers help EMS services save the lives of injury victims. For more information about the devices, contact a seller or EMS IV supplies today.