Information And Guidelines On Reusable Blood Warmer

By Rosella Campbell


Blood warming is a highly sought after practice, especially since this red liquid is kept refrigerated in storage until it's needed for transfusion. When patients needs very rapid transfusions during resuscitation, administration of ice-cold ones could induce hypothermia, this is where a reusable blood warmer will come in as handy. Therefore, these methods are pivotal to successfully fulfill patients' needs.

It is appropriate to use warming equipments for transfusions in situations of resuscitation when quick transfusions are needed. Administrating this vital fluid that is too cold can induce hypothermia in a patient. It is highly recommendable to avoid this kind of situation as much as possible.

When the volume to be administered is higher than 25%, it is advisable to use warming devices prior to transfusion. In such situations it is very probable that even more blood units may be needed. Therefore the units might need to be administered quickly.

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.

Medical staff must only use certified equipment that offers specific features when warming is required. A visible thermometer must be attached at all times to these medical warming devices, and must also contain an audible alarm that has to be functioning and raise attention if the temperature exceeds a value higher than 41 degree celsius.

Warming equipment has several extra advantages. It can warm both this red liquid and IV fluids, making it a diverse tool used for multi-purpose medical use. The device can reach temperatures of 38 degree celsius with a flow rate of ~2-150 mL/min, and the heater is adjusted automatically when needed. They can also increase the fluid's temperature by 10 degree celsius, having a flow rate of 40 mL/min.

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.

Theatres, ASCU, maternal-fetal medicine, nurseries, 6B nurseries and 6D PICU are all locations where these medical warming devices can be found. When the medical staff uses these devices, they have to write down the operating temperature. Again, blood transfusions are recommended only by 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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