Original ResearchInfusion Pump in UH60L/M Flight in Afghanistan: Why Failures Occur
Section snippets
Methods
This study has the following objectives: quantify the volume of AIL in milliliters for user reference, determine the volume of air that can be trapped within the cassette, evaluate pump function in a controlled setting, determine the volume of air required to cause an AIL alarm, determine the effectiveness of the ClrAir function, determine at what volume pumps reach refractory failure caused by air emboli (which is defined as an AIL alarm that does not resolve after pressing the ClrAir button 5
Results
The results for the study objectives are provided in Table 3, Table 4, Table 5, Table 6, Table 7 and Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7. Results from Aerial trial #3 are shown in Figure 7; this trial was aborted after the third bolus due to operational restrains during that particular mission.
Discussion
When looking at the IV tubing, the user should appreciate that 2 cm air is roughly 0.1 mL air emboli. No pumps failed with emboli smaller than 0.9 mL; this is the equivalent of 18 cm air in typical IV tubing.
Cassettes were able to retain up to 0.55 mL air without allowing any air emboli to pass through the pump. This is protective in the sense that the cassette can “absorb” emboli to prevent pump failure or patient harm. It is also detrimental because if the cassette is not flushed properly the
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The views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent the official position of the Department of Defense.