Infusion Supplies Types and Uses

In a dynamic healthcare landscape, infusion therapy stands out as an essential al modality in a variety of medical settings. From hospitals to home healthcare, infusion therapy not only provides critical nutrients and medications but also requires a delicate balance of precision and safety. A pivotal aspect of ensuring this precision is the infusion supplies used, which come in various types, each catering to specific therapies. If you're an infusion provider navigating this terrain, understanding the diverse tools at your disposal is crucial for delivering top-tier care.

Understanding Infusion

In order to successfully administer infusion therapy, no matter the type, there are many pieces of equipment, including IV Catheters, IV administration on Sets, IV supplies (IV Poles, EVA bags, Syringes, etc.) and Infusion Pumps. You may also utilize an IV start kit, which usually includes gloves, a tourniquet, gauze, and dressings.

The effectiveness of infusion therapy is hinged upon the precision and reliability of the supplies used. Here is an overview of the primary categories:

Intravenous (IV) Infusion Sets

IV administration sets come in a variety of configurations, such as filtered, vented, or non-vented, based on the type of infusion therapy or patient needs. The primary components include the spike for piercing the IV bag, a drip chamber, tubing, and a connector that joins with the catheter or needle in the patient's vein. The drip chamber allows for the visualization of the flow rate.

Some IV administration sets do have a flow regulator known as a Dial-A-Flo Sets which have a unique dial that allows you to easily set the drip rate in quantitative values.

Infusion Pumps: A Precise Approach

Infusion pumps are designed to deliver fluids, medications, and nutrients at precise rates and volumes. They are incredibly beneficial for therapies that require strict adherence to dosing and timing, such as chemotherapy, pain management, and anti-biotics.

Types of infusion pumps include:

• Volumetric Infusion Pumps: Stationary or portable devices that are used in hospitals, clinics, and infusion centers.
• Syringe Infusion Pumps: Optimized for delivering small volumes from a syringe into a patient's vascular system.
• Elastomeric Infusion Pumps: A lightweight, disposable pump that uses pressure to infuse medication. With no external power source.
• Ambulatory Pumps: A portable, lightweight pump, that is commonly used for outpatient infusion centers, home infusion and ambulatory care settings.

Disposable Infusion Supplies

To keep patients safe during infusion therapy, a variety of supplies may be used, such as:

• Disinfecting Caps: designed to disinfect the access ports of IV catheters and needless connectors.
• Connectors: have various uses, such as providing access to ports or adding fluids and medications.
• IV Start Kits: PPE (such as gloves, masks, etc.), dressings, tourniquets, etc.
• Dressing Change Kits: PPE, dressings, alcohol prep pads, gauze, etc.
• Flushes: typically saline, used to flush out any residual medication or fluid from the IV line.
• Secondary Sets: for intermitt ent infusion that infuses at regular intervals; shorter tubing.
• Extension sets: extend tubes to put more distance between the patient and the fluid administered.
• IV poles: designed for use in doctor’s offices, hospitals, infusion suites, or in patient’s homes.
• Needle-free Devices and Valves: reduce the risk of needlestick injuries and facilitate access. The different types include: positive or negative displacement connectors, open system connectors, and closed system transfer devices.