Some Information 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.

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.

Patients that have cold agglutinins also need transfusions with warm blood. In cases that involve neonates, treatment with special care should be considered by the medical staff as well. Patients that might be have high risk of cardiac dysfunction from transfusions, as well as children or elderly patients, should benefit of the same amount of attention and extra care as patients previously mentioned.

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.

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.

Professional warming devices can process all sorts of standard infusions. A backup battery is included, and the devices are portable and light-weight. Completing setup takes about 45 seconds, and they are to be disposed when the transfusion is over.

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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