New IV Technology EZ
New IV Technology EZ Save Email Print
New tool For Omaha paramedics
Posted: 6:39 PM Jan 13, 2009
Last Updated: 7:58 PM Jan 13, 2009
Reporter: John Chapman
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

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Seconds count in an emergency and that's especially true when it comes to starting an IV. First responders in Omaha now have new technology to make that process easier.

The new IV system helps patients who can't have an IV inserted the traditional way. The EZ-IO vascular access system inserts the IV by drilling a needle into the shin bone just below the knee. Most patients will be unconscious when paramedics drill the hole and wont feel pain.

"Those people we cant put an IV into to give them the medication they need,” says Dr. Joseph Stothert. “We can now put it in the bone marrow cavity which is about as good."

The technology can be used on children as well as adults and is most often used in life threatening situations. Omaha paramedics have already used this new technology in reviving two heart attack patients.

Every Omaha medic unit will carry one of the systems. Doctors say the risk is minor, less than a one percent chance of getting a bone infection, but the benefits are life saving.

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Posted by: Paramedic on Jan 14, 2009 at 11:08 PM
HD, they did this to 2 awake firefighters and the most pain they felt was from the fluid being pushed into the IO, there is little to no pain from this procedure and it is extremely easy and quick to do. This isn't something that is going to be done on non-critical patients, mainly due to the cost, not because of the risk or pain involved.

Posted by: me on Jan 14, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Keep in mind, this is not the first IV attempt we will try on a patient, we will look for other IV access, then move on to the EZ-IO when we HAVE to have a line, and there is nothing else to go to. Yeah, I flinched when he stuck me, but really, it didn't hurt really any more than a regular IV. Oh, I played basketball with the guys when I got back to the fire station later that afternoon. It really wasn't that bad. THIS WILL SAVE LIVES!

Posted by: HD on Jan 13, 2009 at 11:04 PM
EZ for who? MOST patients will be unconscious? What are they going to do for the ones that are conscious, give them a stick to bite on while they drill for access. Wont this still hurt like you know what later when they do wake up. IV the regular way is bad enough, but this sounds medieval.

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