The Level 1 system can warm fluid to a temperature of close to 37° Celsius and infuse fluids at rapid rates. These rates depend on the size of the cannula used.
Administration of Crystalloids under pressure (300mmHg) | ||
---|---|---|
Cannula Size | Flow rate (ml/min) | Elapsed Time (min/L) |
18g | 240 | 4.2 |
16g | 440 | 2.3 |
14g | 500 | 1.7 |
Administration of Packed Red Cells under pressure (300mmHg) | ||
Cannula Size | Flow rate (ml/min) | Elapsed Time (min/L) |
18g | 150 | 2.3 |
16g | 220 | 1.5 |
14g | 300 | 1.1 |
Procedure
- Place the bottom end of the heat exchanger (blue metal tube) into the slot marked ‘1’
- Place the top part of the heat exchanger into the slot marked ‘2’ until it clicks
- Insert the filter into the slot marked ‘3’
- Ensure all connections are secure
- Close all IV clamps
- Spike the IV fluid bags and hang them on the hooks provided
- Open the clamp above the drip chamber and half fill the chamber
- Open the rest of the clamps and prime the remainder of the giving set
- Once the giving set is adequately primed, close the doors of the infuser
- Plug in and turn on the infuser. The green button is the on button
- Connect the IV tubing to the patient
- To infuse the fluid under pressure, push the switch from (-) to (+)
- All fluid administered using this infuser will be heated to close to 37°
- Once the fluid is infused, turn the switch from (+) to (-). Close the clamp above the drip chamber. Replace the fluid with a new bag if required
- Repeat procedure as required
- To turn off the infuser, press the orange button (next to the green button!)
Equipment required
- Level 1 Rapid Infuser (instruction manual)
- D-50 fluid giving set
- Fluid/Blood products
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Infusion of blood products
For blood products, or 500ml bags of IV fluids, use the hook on the inside of the door. Otherwise, repeat as above.
Use of non-collapsible containers (e.g. Gelofusion)
It is essential to remove any air from these containers prior to administration under pressure to prevent possible air embolism by:
- Venting of the container using a ‘Braun aeration needle’
- Venting of the container using a giving set