[abstract] PERFORMANCE OF THE BAXTER FLO-GARD 6201 INFUSION PUMP FOR USE WITH THE MONOPLACE HYPERBARIC CHAMBER.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is often neccesary to infuse intravenous (IV) fluids or enteral feedings during the time a patient is receiving Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy. The Baxter Flo-Gard 6201 infusion pump is capable of infusing multiple types and viscosities of fluids at rates of 1 ml to 1,199 ml/hour. We designed a study to determine flow accuracy of this pump at variable rates, fluid viscosities and volumes over a range of chamber pressures. METHODS: The pump pressure sensor was adjusted by our BioMed Department to permit its use up to 3.0 atm abs. 0.9percent sodium chloride solution (NS), Subdue enteral formula and packed red blood cells (PRBC) were infused. 0.9percent NS was infused at rates of 1 ml, 5 ml, 100 ml, and 1,999 ml per hour. PRBC were infused at 100 ml and 1,999 ml per hour. All fluids were infused at normobaric pressures, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 atm abs using Amron IV pass-through sets. RESULTS: percent CHANGE FOR SALINE INFUSIONS, Flow Rate [ml/hr] Pressure [atm abs], 0.8 2.0 2.5 3.0, 5, 1 7.5 -7.5 -5.0 -7.5, 5 0.8 0.0 0.0 -9.0, 100 0.0 -4.0 -4.0 0.0, 1,999 0.0 3.2 3.8 2.4. The enteral formula infusion rate decreased 1percent at 0.85, 6percent at 2.0, 8percent at 2.5, and 6percent at 3.0 atm abs, respectively. The PRBC infusion rates of 100 ml/hr and 1,999 ml/hr were essentially no different than shown for the saline infusions. Pre- and post-infusion free plasma hemoglobin levels were not significantly different at any chamber pressure or infusion rates. CONCLUSIONS: The Baxter Flo-Gard 6201 infusion pump demonstrated acceptable performance for infusing saline, enteral formula and PRBC's at low and high infusion rates into the pressurized monoplace hyperbaric chamber including up to 3 atm abs. There was no evidence of increased hemolysis with infusion of RBC's. HBO2 practitioners treating patients who require low rate infusions (i.e., dopamine) or controlled, rapid infusions of crystalloid or blood may find this pump useful.