Aug 16, 2017

Benefits Of Blood Warmer Cuff In Fluid Transfusions

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By Mark Cooper


Technological innovations have done a lot to ensure that most processes in various industries are more efficient and effective. Blood warmer cuff is one of the devices that owes its existence to technology. To begin with, blood transfusion was a very delicate procedure that used to result in various fatalities. But due to the changes that saw the introduction of this device, the procedure is now largely safe and effective.

There are many medical practitioners around the world, who are yet to comprehend why they need to incorporate this device among others in their medical procedures. However, to better understand the use of such devices, it would be prudent to begin with looking at some of the threats that doctors face during delicate surgical procedures. It is equally important that you get to sit down with your doctor and see whether they use these tools.

When people donate blood, it goes to banks for storage, usually at very low temperatures. Patients who have experienced massive blood loss will require more pints to boost levels back to normal. Since what is being added is at a lower temperature than what the body can accommodate, it can easily lead to hypothermia. This medical condition is known to have a number of effects, some which could even harm the patient.

It is for this reason that doctors resorted to using warmers to raise the temperature of blood. The device heats fluids before they are transfused to the patient. It should be noted that doctors must first conduct tests to determine whether the transfusion of cold fluids could harm the patient. Massive trauma is one of the cases that are likely to necessitate large transfusions.

It is important however, that when warming blood, temperatures should be checked to avoid hemolysis. This is where red cells are destroyed before reaching their normal lifespan. Such a condition would be counterproductive to the transfusion procedure. Once these red cells are destroyed, it would be useless trying to carry out a transfusion since the patient would only be receiving cytoplasm and plasma.

The department of fluid transfusions uses a number of other devices. One among them are pressure infusion devices. They help to regulate the flow of blood in accordance to the pressure in the vessels. Using these devices calls for utmost precision, including strict adherence to the guidelines of the manufacturer. This helps to avert the rapture of catheter walls and blood vessels during transfusion.

When these devices are used, patients record superior clinical results. Hypothermia, for instance, is known to lengthen the stay of the patient at the hospital since it makes them recover slower than usual. Looking at this from the perspective of paying bills, it is more costly to the patient. Thanks to these devices however, patients do not have to worry about the severe consequences of hypothermia.

Today, nearly all clinics, hospitals and surgery facilities employ patient warming techniques in their procedures. Besides improving clinical results, they also work to improve the comfort of the patient during those procedures. This is why regulatory agencies are now making patient warming practices mandatory.




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