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Flow Regulators: Background information
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There is much hype about the use of regulators on lines, and unfortunately some of the information being given out is simply not accurate. That said, flow regulators, when used properly and their limitations understood, can make a big difference to your fluid therapy. This is particularly so in small patients, or those with fluid sensitive conditions such as pulmonary oedema. |
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Roller valve control |
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Roller valves work by squashing or relaxing tubing to regulate flow. This regulation is prone to effects of valve creep and also tubing compliance. For this reason, you need to recheck the drop rate 5-10 minutes after setting it to ensure your rate is correct. |
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How do regulators work and help? |
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Flow regulators take fluid into a series of channels within the valve. As you adjust the valve, these channels increase or decrease in size, thus adjusting the flow. This direct regulation means that the new rate change is immediate and is stable as soon as it is set. You can now count the drop rate and know it will be the same (other factors allowing) when you check the patient in 5 minutes or 5 hours. |
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Summary of main benefits |
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Fluid infusions at low rates |
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When making accurate frequent small changes in flow rate |
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When you need to prevent over infusion in compromised patients |
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These benefits are because drop rate counting will be accurate as soon as the rate is set |
Limitations |
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Regulators cannot overcome patient or positional factors (bent elbows, hypertension etc) as they do not pump fluid! |
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The figures on the regulator must NEVER be taken as being the rate. Use them as a guide, but you MUST always confirm this by counting the chamber drop rate |
Click here to view our range of flow regulators, and see how these integrate with our ModuFlo sets. |
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