A massive infusion device is a mechanical device used in patients who need rapid fluid replacement with IV fluids or blood products. It can warm IV fluids or blood products to room temperature to prevent hypothermia and then administer the fluid rapidly at rates of up to 45,000 mL/hour. 1 The device requires specialized IV tubing that expands under pressure. 2
Examples of a massive infusion device include the Level 1 infuser, the Belmont infuser, and the ThermaCor 1200 Rapid Infuser. The Level 1 infuser warms fluids through a sealed heat exchanger that contains recirculating solution. Pressure chambers apply pressure and deliver the prescribed fluids at a rapid rate. The administration set tubing contains a gas vent filter and the heat exchanger. An air detector clamp monitors for the presence of air; when it detects air, the clamp closes off the line and alerts the clinician of the presence of air in the system. 3 The Belmont infuser administers the prescribed fluids through the administration set tubing using a roller-type peristaltic fluid pump. Fluid passes through a heat exchanger that consists of a plastic device housing stainless steel rings, which transfer heat to the fluid. The infuser also contains a pressure sensor that monitors the line pressure of the infusate. If the sensor detects pressure that exceeds the limit set by the clinician, the pump automatically slows the infusion. If line pressure suddenly increases, the device shuts down and an alarm sounds. 1 The ThermaCor 1200 Rapid Infusor has a single-use disposable cassette that warms the fluid and provides an administration set with single and dual patient lines. The system has an air-trapping capability that triggers the air volume sensors when enough air is trapped. 4
Patients with life-threatening conditions such as severe trauma, burns, or GI, postoperative, or postpartum hemorrhage may require the use of a rapid infusion device to receive large volumes of fluids within a short period. 2 Sterile no-touch technique is required during massive infusion administration to reduce the risk of vascular catheter-associated infection.
HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED CONDITION ALERT Keep in mind that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services considers vascular catheterassociated infection to be a hospital-acquired condition because it can be reasonably prevented using best practices. Follow evidence-based infection prevention practices, such as performing a vigorous mechanical scrub of the needleless connector and using sterile no-touch technique, to reduce the risk of vascular catheterassociated infections.5,6,7,8
Massive infusion device prescribed IV fluids or blood products prefilled 10-mL syringe (or a syringe specifically designed to generate lower injection pressure) containing preservative-free normal saline solution appropriate administration set with warming device or heat exchanger1,3 replacement filter or vent or large-capacity reservoir, as indicated1,3 IV pole gloves antiseptic pads (chlorhexidine-based, povidone iodine, or alcohol) labels blankets stethoscope vital signs monitoring equipment disinfectant pad Optional: indwelling urinary catheter, central venous access catheter or pulmonary artery catheter insertion and monitoring equipment, arterial catheter insertion and monitoring equipment, supplies for blood gas sampling, gown, mask with face shield or mask and goggles.
Male sure that the equipment is safe for massive, rapid, or pressurized infusion.
Inspect all IV equipment and supplies; if a product is expired, is defective, or has compromised integrity, remove it from patient use, label it as expired or defective, and report the expiration or defect as directed by your facility. 9
Set up and use the massive infusion device, warming device, or heat exchanger following the manufacturers instructions for use. Make sure that the system is plugged into an outlet to ensure that the infused fluid is heated properly.1,3 Make sure that the device alarm limits are set appropriately, and that the alarms are turned on, functioning properly, and audible to staff. 10,11 Troubleshoot alarms according to the specific manufacturers instructions for use. 1,3
HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED CONDITION ALERT Keep in mind that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services considers blood incompatibility errors to be a hospital-acquired condition because they can be reasonably prevented using best practices. Be sure to follow evidence-based prevention practices, such as carefully identifying the patient and the blood sample for compatibility testing and participating in a two-person verification process before blood and blood products administration, to reduce the risk of blood incompatibility errors.5
Using the Level 1 Infuser
Using the Belmont Infuser
Using the Thermacor 1200 Rapid Infuser
Completing the Procedure
Possible complications include electrolyte imbalances, fluid overload, acid-base imbalance, infiltration or extravasation, pulmonary edema, heart failure, interstitial edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and hypothermia. 2
Document the transfusion of all blood products in the patients record, including the product type, date and time of the infusion, and unique number or lot number for blood products. Document the infusion site used, access device, and site condition. Record the patients core temperature before the start of a massive infusion and at intervals during and after the procedure. Documentation should include a meticulous account of the amounts and types of fluids and correlating vital signs. Record the patients response to the procedure, the practitioner notified of any complications of the procedure, and actions taken to address the complications. Incorporate documentation of massive fluid infusion into the existing required documentation protocol for resuscitation documentation. 48,49 Record teaching provided to the patient and family (if applicable), their understanding of that teaching, and any need for follow-up teaching.
Strategies to prevent central lineassociated bloodstream infections in acute care hospitals
. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 35(7), 753771. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/676533#metadata_info_tab_contents (Level I)Accreditation requirements for acute care hospitals
. (Level VII)Accreditation requirements for acute care hospitals
. (Level VII)Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force
. MMWR Recommendations and Reports, 51(RR-16), 145. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5116.pdf (Level II)Infection control. 42 C.F.R. § 482.42
.Accreditation requirements for acute care hospitals
. (Level VII)Patients rights. 42 C.F.R. § 482.13(c)(1)
.Student course manual
(9th edition). American College of Surgeons.Standardizing use of physiological monitors and decreasing nuisance alarms
. American Journal of Critical Care, 19(1), 2837. https://aacnjournals.org/ajcconline/article-abstract/19/1/28/5720/Monitor-Alarm-Fatigue-Standardizing-Use-of?redirectedFrom=fulltextA toolkit for improving quality of care
(AHRQ Publication No. 13-0015-EF). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. https://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/systems/hospital/fallpxtoolkit/index.html (Level VII)Accreditation requirements for acute care hospitals
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. (Level VII)Medical record services. 42 C.F.R. § 482.24(b)
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