Pediatric Community

Hello fellow pediatric ED people!  We are a Pediatric Trauma Center and we currently use the Level 1 Rapid Infuser, but for a variety of reasons we are hoping to replace them.  If i could design my perfect pediatric Rapid Infuser it would be able to:

• Warm fluids
• Deliver fluids at a specific rate (set by the operator, not just pre-set machine defaults)
• Deliver a specific fluid bolus amount (set by the operator, not just pre-set machine defaults)
• Show how much fluid has been administered in total
• Push/pull fluids manually (if necessary) without disconnecting tubing 
• Administer medications without disconnecting tubing
• Work on battery power (can be used during transport)
• Be easy to assemble / ease of use
• Work well for various departments throughout the hospital (ED, OR, and ICU)

We have had demos of a few products and none are perfect so far, but I would love to hear from the people who use them rather than just from the product rep.  What Rapid Infuser do you use for your pediatric patients?  What do you like about it?  What do you not like about it?  

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Lisa Smotrich BSN, RN, CPEN, NPD-BC, CCRN
RN Professional Development Specialist
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Emergency Center
St. Petersburg, Florida
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Hi Lisa,

We use the Belmont Rapid Infuser in pedi at my facility. I believe it hits all of your marks. 

Molly Scott, BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN

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Molly Cook, RN, CEN
Charge Nurse - Emergency Department
Manatee Memorial Hospital
Bradenton, FL
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We use the LifeFlow at our Children's Hospital. It does not warm the fluids, however. We also use a ranger if needed. and I have looked into other warming devices that would connect to the lifeflow. Let us know what you find! 

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Amanda Yarber RN
Peds Trauma Coordinator
Tennessee State Council
Johnson City TN
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Original Message:
Sent: 8/6/2024 4:10:00 PM
From: Amanda Yarber
Subject: RE: Looking for the "Holy Grail" of Rapid Infusers for Pediatric Patients

We use the LifeFlow at our Children's Hospital. It does not warm the fluids, however. We also use a ranger if needed. and I have looked into other warming devices that would connect to the lifeflow. Let us know what you find! 

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Amanda Yarber RN
Peds Trauma Coordinator
Tennessee State Council
Johnson City TN
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We use the Lifeflow and the Qinflow warmer for rapid fluid and blood resuscitation on pediatric patients. We like the Qinflow and the Lifeflow due to they are easy to transport with and easy to set up. The Qinflow is very small and compact and runs off of battery so no need to keep plugged in and will still warm the fluids. We also like that Lifeflow can be used with a 24 gauge PIV as with other rapid infusers you have to have at least a #22 gauge.  Hope this helps!

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Judy Fuller BSN;ADN;RN
Emergency Department Educator
Trussville AL
(205) 939-9175
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2024 03:09 PM
From: Amanda Yarber
Subject: Looking for the "Holy Grail" of Rapid Infusers for Pediatric Patients

We use the LifeFlow at our Children's Hospital. It does not warm the fluids, however. We also use a ranger if needed. and I have looked into other warming devices that would connect to the lifeflow. Let us know what you find! 

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Amanda Yarber RN
Peds Trauma Coordinator
Tennessee State Council
Johnson City TN
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We use both Lifeflow and Inflow and love both as well. Both are easy to use.


Original Message:
Sent: 8/7/2024 1:24:00 AM
From: Judy Fuller
Subject: RE: Looking for the "Holy Grail" of Rapid Infusers for Pediatric Patients

We use the Lifeflow and the Qinflow warmer for rapid fluid and blood resuscitation on pediatric patients. We like the Qinflow and the Lifeflow due to they are easy to transport with and easy to set up. The Qinflow is very small and compact and runs off of battery so no need to keep plugged in and will still warm the fluids. We also like that Lifeflow can be used with a 24 gauge PIV as with other rapid infusers you have to have at least a #22 gauge.  Hope this helps!

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Judy Fuller BSN;ADN;RN
Emergency Department Educator
Trussville AL
(205) 939-9175
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In our E.R. and Trauma Bay, we have been successfully using Life Flow. It is so easy to set up and use.  We have also started using the Q-in-flow.  It is compatible with Life Flow, and has a battery feature that is great when your pt needs to transfer to the ICU or the O.R.  I would highly recommend both of these products!

Simone Greenberg BSN, RN, CPEN

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital

Hollywood, FL

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Simone Greenberg BSN;RN;CPEN
Staff Nurse
Weston FL
(954) 265-3482
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I've had good experiences with the Belmont rapid infuser in pediatrics. To address your questions

1) It can warm fluids (only when plugged into wall)

2) It can be done but often not necessary, and a bit complex

3) Cannot be done, have to round to nearest provided volume (e.g. 460ml bolus, round to 500ml)

4) It displays volume administered

5) I don't believe fluids or blood can be push/pulled from it manually (but uncertain why that would be necessary)

6) It does have a medication port, however I would not recommend it, particularly in pediatrics. The small volumes for peds doses likely have unpredictable delivery within the large-bore tubing set.

7) 30 minutes battery power

8) Relatively easy to prime and program boluses. Has a heater that burns air so does not require repriming once fluids/blood run dry.

9) It has been implemented in ICUs and ORs as well in some organizations

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Mark Bleazard, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-P, CPEN, TCRN
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Emergency Department
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
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