Infusion management in newborns: some aspects
Maintaining and monitoring the infusion line is a daily challenge in newborns. The vast majority of patients in the neonatology department have an IV line, whether it’s in the head, foot, centrally, or often in the arm. Once the IV is properly placed, we prefer to keep it that way. However, several challenges can arise. How does a good infusion splint help with this? Important factors are positioning, material, and fixation.
Positioning
An important factor is, of course, positioning. Ensuring that the infusion splint is positioned in such a way that the IV remains securely in place. An infusion splint can be used straight or in a curved shape, for both arm and foot. For the arm, the forearm is often aligned with the hand, with the splint slightly bent. When positioning on the foot, the splint is bent around the heel. It is important that the material on the inside is flexible and also maintains its shape well.
Material
The Flexy infusion splint consists of three layers of material used during manufacturing. The outer layer is an antistatic plastic foam. The second material is flexible aluminum. This aluminum is composed to be easily bendable and hold its shape well. An advantage is that this aluminum is MRI Conditional. With proper use, it is not dangerous for use during MRI. The third layer, which is in direct contact with the skin, is a layer of soft cotton mixed with plastic foam. It absorbs somewhat and is gentle on the skin.
Fixation
Dislocation of the IV is, of course, undesirable. Good fixation is therefore important. At the same time, it is also necessary to regularly check the IV for possible development of phlebitis or extravasation. The use of the correct fixation straps helps with this. The Flexy infusion splint comes with two wider, separate straps that can be positioned as desired. The straps are detachable and can be reattached. This keeps the IV intact and also makes it possible to check the IV.
Using the correct size also helps. An infusion splint that is too small will not give the desired result, and an infusion splint that is too large brings discomfort. Different sizes or shapes of the infusion splint may be desired for different patients. In practice, it appears that the infusion splint is fixed in various ways in premature babies. Therefore, the smallest size of the Flexy infusion splint is supplied without fixation straps.
Using a good infusion splint in the right way can therefore be quite influential. Would you like to try the Flexy infusion splint in your department? Please let us know.
