1 Department of Pediatrics, Windham Community Memorial Hospital, Willimantic, Connecticut
Intravenous (IV) fluid controllers and pumps have generally made administration of parenteral fluids and medications safer and more reliable. In addition, they have permitted more effective utilization of nursing services to pediatric patients, because less time is required to monitor the progress of IV fluid infusions.
These devices may be classified as either volumetric infusion controllers or volumetric infusion pumps. In the former type, the force of gravity provides the fluid flow through the IV tubing, and an electronic controller limits the flow of solution to a rate that the operator has preset on an indicator. Such infusion controllers are useful for the delivery of most parenteral fluid therapy when moderate flow rates are needed.