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.