What is a
pressure bag or pressure pump?
A pressure bag, also called a pressure pump, is a special bag used
with an IV bag. The IV bag contains fluids (blood, medications or
nutrients) and connects via IV tubing to an IV line in the patient.
IV fluids normally drip into the IV line. The pressure pump is used
to help the IV fluids either run faster or continuously flow into
the patient.
When is a pressure bag used?
A pressure bag is used when a critically ill or injured patient
requires a rapid administration of fluids or blood products because
of an emergency situation, such as low blood pressure or bleeding.
The IV fluids or blood products can be given much more quickly when
a pressure bag is used. The pressure bag is wrapped around the IV
bag and inflated with a hand held pump to a desired and measured
pressure. The increased pressure surrounding the fluids causes them
to flow faster into the patient.
What are the potential complications of
using the pressure bag?
The pressure can burst the IV bag. If this rare event occurs, it
causes no harm to the patient.
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IV bag (not visible) inside larger, inflated
pressure bag (pressure pump)
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Pressure Bag (Pressure Pump)
