title: The accuracy and variability of bolus injections with different sized syringes.
abstract: The accuracy of bolus injections using different sized syringes was studied. A 1 ml bolus was delivered from a 1 ml, 5 ml, 10 ml, and a 20 ml syringe (n = 205). The 1 ml syringe was the most accurate (P less than 0.001) and the bolus delivered was the least variable (P less than 0.001). Variability increased as syringe size increased. A 3 ml bolus was delivered from a 3 ml, 5 ml, 10 ml, and a 20 ml syringe (n = 164). The 5 ml syringe was the most accurate (P less than 0.05) and the 3 ml and 5 ml syringes delivered a bolus with the least variability (P less than 0.001). A 5 ml bolus was delivered from a 5 ml, 10 ml, and a 20 ml syringe (n = 123); in this case there was no significant difference in the accuracy or variability of bolus among the three syringes. We conclude that for accuracy of small volume boluses (less than 5 ml), small-sized syringes should be used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, British Columbia's Children's Hospital.
authors.forename: S U
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Thobani
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Steward
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002138:Calibration; D004867:Equipment Design; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation; D008422:Materials Testing; D013594:Syringes