The Best Fluid Warming System for EMS Units

November 14th, 2011 by admin No comments »

There are two important aspects of administering IV fluids: administering it at the right flow rate, and administering it at the right temperature. To do the latter, hospitals and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) use an IV warming system. But the requirements for a warming system that an EMS would use are different than the requirements for one that a hospital would use. In addition to featuring fast setup and warm-up, the system must be lightweight and battery-powered. With these things in mind, we profile the specifications of the best fluid warming system for EMS units.

Set Up Time
The fastest set up time for an IV warmer is 30 seconds – a remarkable timeframe considering that a standard warmer takes 2-3 minutes to set up. For many emergency patients, 2-3 minutes is too long to wait for IV fluids to be administered, and this period of time doesn’t include warm-up time.

Warm-up Time
The fastest warm-up time for an IV warmer is 45 seconds, compared to 6-8 minutes for a standard warmer. When using a standard warmer, medical staff may administer IV fluids before they are warmed to at least 95 degrees Fahrenheit, which could result in hypothermia and/or cardiac arrest.

Total Weight
EMS crews need medical equipment to be as lightweight and portable as possible. The lightest weight portable IV warmer meets this need by having a total weight of less than two pounds when the battery is attached.

Power Source
A standard fluid warming system must be plugged into an electrical outlet to operate, whereas portable warmers are battery powered. The lightest weight portable warmer uses a battery that weighs 1.25 pounds. Other portable warmers use batteries that can weigh six pounds, or more.

Tubing Requirements
Proprietary tubing only benefits an IV warmer manufacturer, as it forces the owner to order more proprietary tubing instead of buying standard tubing. Portable warmers that do not use proprietary tubing are available, and make it easier for EMS crews to stay supplied with IV tubing.

Flow Rate
Portable IV warmers can feature the same flow rate as traditional warmers. To administer all types of fluids in the correct capacity, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) require warmers that feature a flow rate of 2-150 ml per minute. » Read more: The Best Fluid Warming System for EMS Units

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Posted in Survival and Emergency

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Guidelines for Diagnosing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

November 9th, 2011 by admin No comments »

Children who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are often first diagnosed in school due to the increased demands on the child for focused attention and on-task behaviors. However, there are some pre-schoolchildren who display very difficult behaviors such as risk taking, trouble playing with other children, extreme impulsivity and resistance to normal parental controls. To address this group, the American Academy of Pediatrics recently updated their guidelines to primary care physicians regarding the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Previous AAP guidelines covered children in the 6 through 12 year old age group. New guidelines have expanded the age range from 4 through 18 years.

This change has created much discussion and some controversy as parents and experts fear an increase in the medication of pre-school children. However, after reviewing the guidelines (see AAP.com) it is clear that physicians consider many variables prior to suggesting medication including: the child’s emotional/behavioral adjustment; alternative explanations for the child’s behavior; effects of the child’s behavior on his development; co-existing medical conditions; consultation for behavior management; and ongoing monitoring. The diagnostic process itself is complex and requires input from multiple observers.

Diagnosis typically starts when parents are concerned about the child’s behaviors at home or day care. Parents and care givers may express concerns with the child’s behaviors including: » Read more: Guidelines for Diagnosing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

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Posted in Psychology

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