Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is difficult vascular access an issue? Why is access with a traditional IV difficult?
A. IVs cannot be started in over 6 million emergency patients annually, resulting in thousands of deaths every year. In situations in which the patients' veins collapse due to shock, low blood pressure, cardiac arrest, etc., IVs are extremely difficult to start often resulting in no vascular access or significant delays in obtaining vascular access. This issue results in difficult situations for paramedics, nurses and emergency physicians attempting to gain vascular access in life threatening situations. A significant number of central venous catheters (central lines) are placed each year, with a high complications rate, in patients for whom IV's cannot be started.
A. IVs cannot be started in over 6 million emergency patients annually, resulting in thousands of deaths every year. In situations in which the patients' veins collapse due to shock, low blood pressure, cardiac arrest, etc., IVs are extremely difficult to start often resulting in no vascular access or significant delays in obtaining vascular access. This issue results in difficult situations for paramedics, nurses and emergency physicians attempting to gain vascular access in life threatening situations. A significant number of central venous catheters (central lines) are placed each year, with a high complications rate, in patients for whom IV's cannot be started.
Q. Is IO better or just equal to IV for fluid, drug delivery?
A. The only human IO pharmacokinetic trial reported that IO flow levels are equal to that of IV as supported in the ACLS guidelines issued in December 2005. Drugs injected into the IO space of the tibia, sternum and humeral head all reach the central venous circulation within one second which is faster than drugs given through IV in a low flow perfusion state.
A. The only human IO pharmacokinetic trial reported that IO flow levels are equal to that of IV as supported in the ACLS guidelines issued in December 2005. Drugs injected into the IO space of the tibia, sternum and humeral head all reach the central venous circulation within one second which is faster than drugs given through IV in a low flow perfusion state.
Q. What are the risks with the use of IO - infection, leakage, bone not healing?
A. Overall IO experience in thousands of children and adults show the infection rate to be less than 0.6 percent and those are usually not serious and can be treated as outpatients.1 The documented overall complication rate associated with intraosseous insertion and infusion is less than 1 percent. Potential complications include extravasation (leakage), dislodgement of the needle, compartment syndrome, bone fracture, pain related to infusion of medications/fluids and infection.
A. Overall IO experience in thousands of children and adults show the infection rate to be less than 0.6 percent and those are usually not serious and can be treated as outpatients.1 The documented overall complication rate associated with intraosseous insertion and infusion is less than 1 percent. Potential complications include extravasation (leakage), dislodgement of the needle, compartment syndrome, bone fracture, pain related to infusion of medications/fluids and infection.
1Rosetti VA, Thompson BM, Miller J, Mateer JR, Aprahamian C. Intraosseous infusion: an alternative route of pediatric intravascular access. Ann Emerg Med 1985;14:885-8
Q. What fluids and medications can I infuse IO?
A. Any fluid or medication that can be intravenously infused may be infused through the EZ-IO® product system. Drugs and fluids that are incompatible with each other can be infused through the EZ-IO® product system in a manner consistent with standard IV practice - flush the EZ-IO® system between drugs with saline.
A. Any fluid or medication that can be intravenously infused may be infused through the EZ-IO® product system. Drugs and fluids that are incompatible with each other can be infused through the EZ-IO® product system in a manner consistent with standard IV practice - flush the EZ-IO® system between drugs with saline.