P/N 53063-50, Manual Revision: B
Safety and Patient Care Precautions
3-5
Twists and Kinks
in Tubing
A careful recheck of the mounted harness should be carried out to make certain
that each section is in the correct position on the machine, and that all tubes are
free of twists or kinks that would prohibit fluid flow. It is particularly important
that no occlusion remain in the tube between the bowl and the reinfusion bag
when blood is being pumped out of the bowl. Working the pump against a severe
flow restriction results in high levels of hemolysis with high levels of plasma
hemoglobin. (See the warning on plasma hemoglobin which follows.)
Plasma
Hemoglobin
Working the blood pump against a severe flow restriction may cause hemolysis.
Since the presence of free hemoglobin in the reinfusion bag is not readily
apparent, one should watch for some other indication of abnormal operation. A
restriction that will cause hemolysis may also cause a reduction in flow rate,
which in turn, could result in an abnormally long time to empty the bowl.
The CS5+ is programmed to detect abnormally long EMPTY and RETURN modes,
and to notify the operator by displaying a warning. See See “Appendix C:
Machine messages/troubleshooting” on page APP-8.
Continuous
Aspiration
Continuous aspiration of profuse bleeding without breaks in suction can cause
electrical interference. If the Cell Saver 5+ is in FILL mode (pumps turning) and
the entire tubing set is filled with fluid, there is a potential for electrical
interference to be conducted through the fluid and patient to other systems, such
as the ECG. If these conditions exist simultaneously, it is possible that the Cell
Saver can cause an effect on the ECG which looks like ventricular tachycardia.
To eliminate the potential for this to occur, it is recommended that the operator
aspirate with intermittent breaks in suction.
Overheating
Overheating of the centrifuge, which might be injurious to red cells in the nearby
passageways, can occur as a consequence of defective bearings.
It is
recommended that the operator feel the centrifuge well with his/her hand to
detect any evidence of overheating each time a bowl is removed at the end of a
procedure. If any portion of the upper surface of the chuck is found to be above
37°C (98.6°F), the machine should be serviced before further use.
Warning: If, during a procedure, it is discovered that any portion of the
equipment within proximity of the blood has been significantly overheated, the
processed red cells should be regarded as unsafe for reinfusion.
