All about EMS
An EMS plays a vital role in treatment
of people injured in accidents. Generally the equipment includes an IV warmer.
If the IV-fluid is delivered cold it causes hypothermia along with other side
effects such as- cardiac arrest, impaired coagulation and increased oxygen
consumption. Even though using the fluid in any form may be preferable to not
using it at all; however it is always advisable to use a model of EMS IV with
the best and most efficient specifications – also for different and especial
purposes.
The most important feature is the power
source. Generally EMS warmers need an electrical outlet; i.e. these are made
for clinics. There are also battery-powered EMSs that have a mobility advantage
in dire situations and out of reach of medical centers. When mobility comes
into question, it brings along the weight issue. In a medical facility, the
weight of a device certainly matters less compared to when it’s on the move.
The typical range of the weight of EMS’s can vary from two pounds up to
thirteen pounds. Considering the weight of the battery is also quite essential
when mobility is required; slight change of mass may hamper the pace of the
paramedic at dire situations.
The efficiency of an EMS warmer
profoundly depends on the flow rate of the fluid. Typically this rate ranges
from 1.83 ml min-1 to 2.15 ml min-1.
Choosing
the correct rate causes the patient to receive the fluid faster. The rate is
dependent on the tubing of the EMS. There are two types of tubing available: proprietary
and Standard. Although it might seem like using proprietary tubes might deliver
special performance; apart from few special cases, it delivers the same
performance. Hence for most cases it does nothing different from a ‘standard
tubing’ apart from increasing the cost of the operation.
Acknowledging the best type of
temperature measuring device for you EMS is another important issue. There are
many ways an EMS can be configured to measure the temperature of the fluid:
warming plates, circulating water or any other methods. These methods prove to
be not completely 100% accurate. The only way by which a paramedic can be sure
of the exact temperature is by direct measure through a sensor placed in the
warming chamber.
Another important specification of EMS
is its heat and setup time. Generally it can take up to twelve minutes for an
EMS to warm the fluid to required temperature; however in emergency situations
greater efficiency is required and thus apparatus that are more costly. The
fact that these costly devices can provide more efficiency is irrefutable; the
most efficient warmer currently available in the market can set up in thirty
and heat up in forty-five seconds.
In the current situation of our world,
thinking green has become absolutely necessary. There are two types of EMS at
disposal when thinking about nature: disposable and reusable. The former is
more preferred by paramedics due to: less maintenance, and light travel. Even
though the latter creates a possibility of bacterial infections; a little maintenance
might prevent it along with better environment.
With so many choices in the market,
EMS’s should be chosen according to their need and applications with
consideration of all the above.
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