J Korean Med Sci.  2022 Dec;37(49):e345. 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e345.

Reliability of Marked Scales on Intravenous Fluid Plastic Bags

• Ko E
• Kim YH
• Song YJ
• Choe K
• Heo J
• Moon DE
• Lim CH

• KMID: 2537046
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e345

Abstract

Precise fluid administration is important to prevent hypo- or hypervolemia. However, the accuracy of scales marked on intravenous (IV) fluid plastic bags had remained unknown. Ten 1 L sized IV crystalloids were prepared from each of three manufacturers (H, J, and D). At each scale, the actual volume of the IV fluid was measured. Differences with the measured volumes for each scale were investigated between the three manufacturers. All initial total volume was greater than 1 L. Except for the full-filled level, H overfilled, whereas J and D filled less. For J and D, the maximal differences between the scale and the measured volume were about 200 mL. Fluid volumes of each scale were significantly different among the three manufacturers (P < 0.001). It is inaccurate to measure the amount of fluid depending on the IV bag scales. Clinicians must use electronic infusion pumps for accurate fluid administration.

Keyword

Crystalloid Solutions; Dehydration; Fluid Therapy; Hypovolemia; Rehydration Solutions; Shock

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Differences between measured volume and marked scale for each scale. Difference values (y-axis) were obtained by subtracting the marked scale from the measured volume. The initial total amount of 1 L fluid was indicated as 1,000 mL because the 1,000 mL scale was not marked on 1 L fluid bag.H = fluid produced by HK inno.N, J = fluid produced by JW Pharmaceutical, D = fluid produced by Dai Han Pharm.*P < 0.05 compared between H and J; †P < 0.05 compared between J and D; ‡P < 0.05 compared between D and H.

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