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.