Maji: a new tool to prevent overhydration of children receiving intravenous fluid therapy in low-resource settings.
We designed and evaluated the accuracy and usability of a device to regulate the volume of fluid dispensed during intravenous drip therapy. The mechanical system was developed in response to a pressing need articulated by clinicians in pediatric wards throughout sub-Saharan Africa, who require a tool to prevent overhydration in children receiving intravenous fluid in settings that lack burettes or electronic infusion pumps. The device is compatible with most intravenous bags and limits the volume dispensed to a preset amount that can be adjusted in 50 mL increments. Laboratory accuracy over a range of clinically-relevant flow rates, initial bag volumes, and target volumes was within 12.0 mL of the target volume. The ease of use is "excellent," with a mean system usability score of 84.4 out of 100. Use of the device limits the volume of fluid dispensed during intravenous therapy and could potentially reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with overhydration in children receiving intravenous therapy.
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Kamal
K
Shah
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Erica
E
Skerrett
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Matthew
M
Nojoomi
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Thor
T
Walker
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Kelley
K
Maynard
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Michael
M
Pan
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Bailey
B
Flynn
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Melissa
M
Yuan
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Paige
P
Horton
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Taylor
T
Vaughn
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Robert
R
Miros
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Elizabeth
E
Molyneux
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Ann
A
Saterbak
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
Z Maria
ZM
Oden
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Rice 360°, Institute for Global Health Technologies, Rice University, Houston, Texas; 3rd Stone Design, San Rafael, California; Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi rkortum@rice.edu.
Rebecca
R
Richards-Kortum
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation; D008295:Malawi; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult