UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED
Indications
- Transfusion of Packed Red Blood Cells
- Administration of warm fluid to the following patients:
- Paediatric patients
- Burns patients
- Patients with hypothermia
Contraindications
- Patients undergoing MRI
- Do not administer medications through the MEQU warmer
Patient Factors & Considerations
- Air embolism can occur with any intravenous infusion.
- Prime the MEQU warmer with crystalloid solutions and closely monitor for trapped air inside the giving set.
- Disconnection of the power pack from the MEQU warmer will immediately stop fluid warming, but will have no effect on flow rate.
Procedure
- Use aseptic technique.
- Gather the power pack & MEQU warmer cartridge.
- Remove the MEQU warmer from its foil packaging.
- Disconnect the tamper proof seals.
- Separate the red and blue luer locks.
- Connect a primed blood compatible giving set to the male (blue) luer lock.
- Open the giving set roller regulator until the MEQU warmer is primed, ensuring all the air is flushed.
- Note: if the giving set is already primed with blood products, flush the MEQU warmer with a syringe of crystalloid solution.
- Close the roller regulator.
- Secure the disposable cartridge to a suitable location (usually the patients arm or leg) by removing the protective film on the adhesive tape and wrapping it around the extremity.
- Connect the female (red) luer lock to the IV catheter via bung or extension set.
- Connect the plug from the Power Pack to the warming cartridge. A blinking green light indicates the cartridge is warming. A solid green light indicates the unit is warming fluid to the correct temperature.
- Adjust the flow of fluid to the required drip rate through the roller regulator.
- Monitor closely for signs of extravasation.
Success
- Fully charged the MEQU is capable of warming 5º C fluid to 39º C at the rate of 150 mL/min.
- MEQU Warming Cartridge is rated for 72 hours of continuous operation for a single patient.
Discontinue
- If the patient experiences pain at the infusion site.
- If the infusion site shows signs of extravasation.
Additional Information
References
Collins, N., Daly, S., Johnson, P. and Smith, G. Pre-hospital use of intravenous in-line fluid warmers to reduce morbidity and mortality for major trauma patients: A review of the current literature. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine. 2015
Martin, R Shayn;et al. Injury-associated hypothermia: an analysis, Shock Vol 24(2), Aug. 2005
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