IO Devices: Drills vs. Guns

[NYMedic828]

Little side note to this thread,

I met with a rep from vidacare(EZ-IO) to discuss purchasing as replacement to our BIG shooters.

He was explaining how a humoral head IO is becoming the new standard in my areas over the tibial IO because of the decreased time to coronary circulation.

I know some already have the humoral route in protocol.

He also said that in some places a humoral IO is even used first line over an IV because of how rapid and relatively painless it is. People have reported pain as little as 2/10 vs 4/10 from an IV/tibial IO.

And fun facts, EZ-IO needles are $100-$115 a piece and the drill goes for $290. What a scam for a disposable drill...

 

[Doczilla]

This is definately true.

The honeycomb- like structures of bone marrow becomes more dense in the tibial area as we age. That's why its (at least for me) easier to manage I.Os in children when its in the tibia.

The army is a fan of sternal IOs not only for this reason, but the fact that ballistic plates keep sternum relatively safe.

If were overseas though, (because we use EMS when CONUS) I would opt for an EJ>femoral line if I had the stuff for it.