What Researchers Did
Researchers tested how accurately a Baxter Flo-Gard 6201 infusion pump delivered different fluids at various speeds and pressures inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber.
What They Found
They found that for saline, the measured flow varied by 12.5% to -7.5% at very low rates (1 and 5 ml/h), but was identical to the set rate at 100 ml/h, and varied by +/-4.9% at the highest rate (1,999 ml/h). Enteral formula infusions at 100 ml/h showed about a 3% increase, and packed red blood cell infusions varied from -0.4% to 6% of the set rate. The pump performed acceptably for most infusions up to 3 atm abs, except for low flow rates during chamber compression and decompression.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
This study evaluated only one specific model of infusion pump, and its findings may not apply to other types of pumps or more modern equipment used in hyperbaric settings.