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We use the IVAC 3 channel pumps... they are great
as they are small, have a med calculator built in (optional) and have a decent
alarm system as well. To top it off they are fairly inexpensive, we purchased
refurbished units for around $600 a piece from PMI. You can also get customized
protective covers to identify your units and giving some PR along with it. They
are intuitive to use as well. If you have more then 3 drips/fluids running you
can just grab another pump and keep the chain going without taking up a lot of
space. These units clamp easily to the cot rails and can be laid on top of the
patient temporarily without causing a crushing injury ;-).
Cons: the little plastic hooks for the IV
bag/bottle break off easily. We also do not have Biomed available to us easily,
so any problems means out of service for that unit. Depending on which tubing
you purchase, they can be a little cumbersome. Some half sets will alarm if used
with certain brands of the regular IV tubing... 60 drop sets will for sure do
this but has happened also with some 10 drop sets. The last con I can think of
is related to piggybacking and their tubing... seems to me that they could make
it easier to piggyback, particularly with the NTG tubing, when you have such low
flow rates and a mainline is a necessity... if you do not use one of the pump
channels for this, and just want to drip your own fluid, you will have to add an
additional adaptor otherwise you will lose your needless port. A second needless
port would solve this problem I think.
Take care
Nick Nudell, NREMTP, CCEMTP
Montana
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