EZ-IO intraosseus drill
In emergency aeromedical retrieval, reliable vascular access is essential for provision of resuscitation fluids and drugs. It can be difficult to obtain peripheral venous access in some patients suffering from conditions such as shock, cardiac arrest, dehydration, diabetic coma, renal failure and is particularly a problem in small children. Techniques such as central line access or venous cutdowns have been replaced by intraosseus infusion - insertion of a needle into bones to gain access to the marrow space which functions similarly to veins with fluids and drugs reaching the circulation within seconds.
Insertion of intraosseus needles can be done by hand but is slow and difficult. The EZ-IO drill is a small battery-powered device with a beveled, hollow drill tipped needle set which is fast and easy to use in an emergency setting. It is specifically designed for safe and controlled intraosseous vascular access in patients of all ages and comes with different needle sizes for adults and children. We have one EZ-IO kit in each of our aircraft.
Cost is approximately $1200 (including three needles.)
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