Aim: To study the effect of in-line filtering on in-line pressure measurement in a simulated infusion system.
Methods: The experimental setup consisted of a syringe pump, syringe, intravenous (IV) line, and extension line. For aqueous fluids, a 0.2-μm infusion filter was used, and for lipid emulsions, a 1.2-μm filter. Infusion speed varied from 0.5 to 10.0 mL/h. First, the effect of clamping the extension line was studied on reaching alarm threshold. Second, the effect of aqueous and lipid fluids was evaluated on in-line pressure measurements.
Results: In-line placement of an infusion filter did not prolong the time to alarm threshold after occlusion. During 24 hours of monitoring, lipid emulsions and all-in-one admixture only caused a moderate increase in in-line pressure.
Conclusion: Placement of an infusion filter does not have a significant effect on the in-line pressure monitoring and has no adverse effect on detecting pressure-related complications of IV administration.
Keywords: clinical alarms; infusions; intravenous; newborn.