Effect of Intravenous Catheter Diameter on the Temperature of Fluids Warmed bythe Level 1(TM) Fluid Warmer

摘要

a quasi-experimental design was chosen to determine what effect intravenouscatheter diameter had on the temperature of fluid warmed by a rapid infusion warmer (i.e., Level 1 Fluid Warmer). The study was conducted in an operating room under simulated surgical conditions. One bag of Ringer's lactate solution was infused by gravity (108 cm height) through the Level 1 Fluid Warmer and then through each of 4 different sizes of intravenous catheters (i.e., 18 ga, q6 ga, 14 ga, and 8.5 Fr). Temperature was measured in degrees Celsius at the following sites: (a) the operating room, (b) the fluid bag, (c) the exit point of the warmer, (d) the exit point of the air eliminator, and (e) the hub of the intravenous catheter. The difference in fluid temperature between the exit point of the warmer and hub of the intravenous catheter was used to determine heat