Cannulation and intravenous fluids

      • Cannulate for titrated opiate / opioid analgesia
      • Do not allow cannulation procedures to unnecessarily extend the on scene time.
      • Limited attempts to cannulate the patient (2 attempts only)
      • Fluid replacement (0.9% normal saline or Hartmann’s solution) can be commenced if the patient is     cannulated.
      • Fluid replacement must be started for burns > 25% T.B.S.A and / or if time to hospital is more than 1 hour     from time of injury. (1000 ml for adult, 500 ml for child 10-15years, 250 ml 5-10years, no fluids for under 5’s)
      • Fluid therapy should ideally be warmed

References

    • 44. Henry S,.Scalea TM. Resuscitation in the new millennium. Surg.Clin.North Am. 1999;79 :1259-67, viii.
    • 45. Myers C. Fluid resuscitation. Eur.J Emerg.Med. 1997;4:224-32.
    • 46. Warden GD. Burn shock resuscitation. World J Surg. 1992;16:16-23.
    •   47. Dalton A.M. Pre-hospital intravenous fluid replacement in trauma: an outmoded concept? Journal of Royal Society of Medicine 1995;April:213-6.