title: Comparative accuracy of five intravenous-fluid controllers.
abstract: The accuracy of five gravity-feed infusion-control devices was compared using a gravimetric method. Two nonvolumetric drop-counting devices (IVAC 230 and, IMED 350) and three volumetric devices (Quest/Cutter Infusor, Anatros Rateminder, and IVAC 260) were compared at four different flow rates (10, 40, 125, 250 ml/hr) using four different solutions and two head heights (30 and 100 cm). The mean error rates for the IVAC 230 and the IVAC 260 devices were consistently high and negative (-6.32 and -12.60%, respectively). The mean error rates for the IMED, Anatros, and Quest/Cutter devices were 2.2, 1.8, and 0.7%, respectively. Conversion charts must be used to account for variation in drop size when different solutions and flow rates are used in the IVAC 230 and IMED 350 devices. At the low flow rates, the 60-drop/ml sets were more accurate than the 20-drop/ml sets. Of the volumetric devices, the Quest/Cutter Infusor and the Anatros Rateminder were more accurate than the IVAC 260. The Quest/Cutter Infusor was the most accurate of all controllers tested. For volumetric devices that use drop-counting technology, selecting an internal fluid code on the basis of solution ingredients is still necessary. For the new volumetric devices, conversion charts and fluid code selection are not necessary to achieve a high level of accuracy.
mesh_terms: D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000592:standards