SAFETY APPARATUS FOR INTRAVENOUS THERAPY

Abstract

THE administration of potent drugs and fluids intravenously often requires much more accurate control than is possible with the usual drip method. This is particularly applicable in the case of small infants for the following reasons: 1. Due to change in position of the infant or relaxation of spasm in the vein receiving the fluid, there may be large variations in the rate of flow, resulting in under-or over-hydration. In the latter case, excessive administration of water or specific electrolytes may cause death in an acutely ill patient. 2. Rates of flow of 10 to 15 cc. per hour are often desirable. It has been found to be impractical to measure a 15 cc. per hour outflow from a 500 cc. flask. Consequently, the nurses must frequently slow down the rate of flow so that stoppages often occur. 3. Certain intravenous medication—notably sodium sulphadiazine, penicillin and calcium gluconate—when injected into standard intravenous tubing, results in massive intermittent dosage. It is more desirable to give continuous intravenous therapy, maintaining the blood level at a uniform concentration. Crystallization of sodium sulphadiazine in the intravenous tubing has been observed when the drug is injected intermittently. This results in a stoppage of the intravenous and irritation of the vein. A simple graduated safety cylinder (chart 1) has been designed to overcome these difficulties.