Friday, July 18, 2014

Guidelines And Tips On Reusable Blood Warmer

Guidelines And Tips On Reusable Blood Warmer


by Rosella Campbell


When blood is kept refrigerated in storage until it is used in transfusion, it is a common practice in the medical field these days to use warming. A reusable blood warmer is recommended in various situations such as this. The medical needs specific to the individual patient, along with outside factors, should be taken in consideration by the medical staff when making decisions about administering this red liquid.

Medical staff should use warming devices when the volume intended for transfusion measures at 25% of the required amount of the patient's body. In many cases, medical professionals may be required to quickly administer a large number of units of this red liquid, and the temperature in these mass transfusions must be adequate to safely be transfused into the body.

If the volume to be administrated exceeds 25%, medical staff should use the warming device prior to transfusion. It is highly probable that more units might be needed in such situations, and using the device will aid the fast transfusions required.

When warming is required, medical staff must use specially designed devices. Technicians should be able to access a visible thermometer, and an audible and perfectly functioning alarm must be available in case the temperature gets higher than 41 degree celsius.

Just as cold blood may cause complications, overly hot forms can also be dangerous to the patient. Therefore, every time these devices are used, medical staff must write down what operating temperature the device displays.

Professional warming equipment can offer several advantages. They are practical, and can be used in multi-purposed cases like warming this vital fluid and also transferring IV fluids. They have a flow rate between ~2-150 mL/min, can easily reach temperatures of 38degree celsius, and have heaters that automatically adjust blood temperature when needed.

Maintenance of these devices should be done every 12 months, and should be carefully monitored. If proper care is disregarded and the device malfunctions, it can become extremely dangerous when the blood is needed most.

Places that normally contain medical warming devices are theatres, ASCU, 6B nurseries, maternal-fetal medicine, 6D PICU, and nurseries. It is mandatory for medical staff to note the operating temperature when a device is used, and is highly recommended that this red liquid is warmed only using these devices.

Warming devices can handle all types of standard infusion. They are portable, light-weight, and have backup batteries. The setup takes about 45 seconds, and they are disposed afterwards. Due to the strict operational and maintenance procedures, it's highly important that blood should be warmed only by using these devices.

Disposable fluid warmers are one of the latest innovations in technology and the medical industry. Also known as thermiflow fluid warmers, they are self-powered and high functioning. Thermiflow devices are activated automatically when exposed to the atmospheric air, allowing it to be efficient as soon as it is required. All these features make blood warmers essential to all areas of medicine, and make transfusions much safer for patients.




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