Both Footscray and Sunshine campuses currently use the enFlow fluid warmer. It is relatively easy to set-up and can quickly heat fluids (blood/crystalloid) to 40 degrees celsius.

Indications:

1. hypothermia – active warming
2. massive transfusion – prevention of coagulopathy

Contraindications:

1. hyperthermia

Device set-up (manufacturer video – 3min)

Key points

1. warmer cartridges are single patient use only
2. the cartridge can be considered an extension of the drip line and hence must be primed to avoid air embolism
3. note the helpful arrow on the cartridge to indicate direction of flow
4. extension tubing can be added to the cartridge for difficult ergonomic situations but will carry a risk of heat loss distal to the warmer.

The warmer is found in the resus storeroom at Footscray, and the warmer cartridge and arm-pad near the bottom left of the shelves on the back wall.