Flowtron® Excel - ARJO Library Login

RECOMMENDED
PROTOCOL FOR USE
FLOWTRON ® EXCEL
DVT PROPHYLAXIS SYSTEM
… with people in mind
I RECOMMENDED PROTOCOL FOR USE
Purpose
Contraindications
The Flowtron® Excel Intermittent Pneumatic Compression
System provides clinically effective, non-invasive
mechanical compression for the prophylaxis of Deep Vein
Thrombosis (DVT).
The Flowtron Excel system should not be used in the
following conditions:
The system is designed to be used with:
• DVT10 and DVT20 Calf Garments
• DVT60 Bariatric Fit™ Calf Garments
• DVT30 and DVT40 Thigh Garments
Indications
•
Pre-, intra- and post-phases of surgery
• Severe arteriosclerosis or other ischaemic vascular
diseases
• Known or suspected acute DVT
• Severe congestive cardiac failure or any condition
where an increase of fluid to the heart may be
detrimental
• Any local condition in which the garments would
interfere, including gangrene, recent skin graft,
dermatitis or untreated, infected leg wounds
• When the use of anticoagulant therapy is
contraindicated
If you are unsure of any contraindications refer to the
patient’s physician before using the device.
• As an adjunct modality with other methods of
DVT prophylaxis (e.g. anticoagulants, Anti Embolic
stockings) for high risk patients
Cautions
• Periods of prolonged immobility
• Paralysed limb
Recommendations
•
The Flowtron Excel system should be applied to
the patient pre-operatively, prior to the induction of
anaesthesia
• The system should be used continuously for no less
than 72 hours post-operatively or until the patient
becomes fully ambulatory
• If the calf or thigh garment cannot be applied to the
operative limb during surgery, it may be applied to
the limb once the patient reaches the recovery unit
• In the non-surgical patient the system should be
initiated immediately the risk of DVT formation is
identified
• Garments should be removed regularly to inspect
the skin
• Where appropriate patients should be instructed in
the proper use of the system, the purpose of therapy
and that any problems should be reported to the
nursing staff
Patients may walk with the garments in place by tucking away the
tubing under the tab closures.
•
Garments should be removed immediately if the
patient experiences tingling, numbness or pain
• When used for DVT prophylaxis continuous use is
recommended and any interruption of therapy for a
substantial length of time should be at the discretion
of the physician
These are guidelines only and should not replace clinical
judgement and experience.
RECOMMENDED PROTOCOL FOR USE I
Operating Instructions
Troubleshooting
1. Plug the Flowtron Excel pump into a suitable
electrical outlet. Do not turn the pump on at this
time.
The Flowtron Excel pump features both an audible and a
visual alarm. If a problem occurs the system will sense the
fault and flash a message on the display.
If the same fault continues for ten successive inflations
the audible alarm will sound and a flashing message will
remain on the display until corrective action is completed.
The exception to this is an “F” fault which will alarm
immediately.
2. Connect the tubing set to the pump, ensuring a
”click” is heard from the snap-lock connectors.
3. Remove the garments from the sealed bag. The
garments may be used on either limb.
4. Unfold one garment and position the inflatable
bladder directly beneath the patient’s calf and/or
thigh (depending on the type of garment chosen).
5. Snugly wrap the garment around the patient’s leg
and secure with fastener tabs. Repeat for the other
leg. For single leg use refer to point 9 below.
6. Attach the other end of the tubing set to the
garments, ensuring that a “click” is heard with each
snap-lock connection. Ensure that the tubing is
attached securely to the pump and garments.
7. Turn the pump on. The green indicator light will
illuminate and the pump will perform a short selftest cycle. Check the garments inflate and deflate
alternately.
8. Adjust the pressure dial to the recommended setting
of 40mmHg, unless otherwise prescribed by the
physician and verify that the display is indicating the
desired output pressure on garment inflation.
9. FOR SINGLE LEG USE: Connect one tube to one air
outlet on the pump and leave the unused outlet free.
Press the “Single Leg” button and ensure that the
indicator illuminates.
10. To ambulate, turn the pump off and disconnect the
tubing from the garments. The garment tubing can
be tucked away under the tab closures (as shown
opposite). The patient may walk with the garments in
place. Once the patient returns to the chair or bed,
connect the tubing to the garments and turn the
pump on.
11. Refer to the Flowtron Excel system user manual for
complete information on the use of the system.
LCD
Display
Corrective
Problem Action
1. Hose disconnected 1. Check the hose
at garment connection at
garment
2. Garment leak 2. Check garment
and replace if faulty
3. Low pressure
3. Refer to service
1. Hose kinked
1. Check hose
for kinks
2. Hose disconnected 2. Check the hose
at pump connection at
pump outley
3. Single garment 3. Switch pump off
attached without and on to reset and
pressing ‘Single Leg’ press ‘Single Leg’
button button if only one
garment is used
Pump failure
DO NOT USE PUMP
Refer to service
Alarm Cancel
After a fault has been corrected, the alarm can be
cancelled by two methods:
1. Switch the pump off, then on again after 5 seconds,
using the On/Off switch.
2. With the exception of a pump failure ( ), correct the
fault and allow the pump to run until it senses a normal
inflation. It will then reset itself.
… with people in mind
Therapy & Prevention Product Division 310-312 Dallow Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1TD, United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1582 413104 F: +44 (0)1582 459100 W: www.ArjoHuntleigh.com
©ArjoHuntleigh 2006
MEMBER OF THE GETINGE GROUP
ArjoHuntleigh is a branch of Arjo Ltd Med AB
® and ™ are trademarks belonging to the ArjoHuntleigh group of companies
As our policy is one of continuous improvement, we reserve the right to modify designs without prior notice.
DVT PFU 01 0 GB INT 0