Ultimate Guide to Different Types of IV Poles

Sep 03rd, 2024
Doctor using IV Drip pole

An IV Pole—also known as an infusion stand—is an essential medical device in many healthcare settings, including large hospitals, specialised medical clinics, or private medical rooms. 

Whether you’re a surgeon, anesthesiologist, or a gynaecologist, the IV Pole is suitable for a range of different settings. 

This article will explore why IV Poles are non-negotiable in medical settings for continuous infusion, and how you can find the best one for your setting.

What is an IV Pole in Healthcare?

IV Poles

Used to suspend or secure bags or bottles containing saline, medicinal solutions, or other fluids to administer to patients, IV Poles are mobile, stable, and equipped with wheels for patient movement and fluid administration.

These infusion stands can be made from aluminium or stainless steel and feature multiple hooks to suspend several bags at once.

What are the benefits of an IV pole?

Its biggest function is its portability because medical staff don’t need to disconnect patients from critical fluids or medication when taking them to another area in a healthcare facility.Patients are also free to leave their bed to use the bathroom, move to a chair, or take supervised walks. Accessories such as laptop tray accessories and storage baskets allow healthcare professionals to keep office records for the patient. Overall, an IV pole is convenient for doctors and facilitates patient care.

Types of IV Poles by Usage

Let’s examine some of the most common IV poles in medical settings and how they are useful for both medical practitioners and patients!

Tribute Weighted Nesting IV Pole – 2 Hook

Tribute Weighted Nesting IV Pole - 2 Hook

Designed with a base allowing multiple stands to be stored together when not in use, these Tribute IV poles are suitable for operating theatre environments or any clinical area where hygiene and durability are critical.

The stand height is 1500m – 2400mm, and the base diameter is 520mm.

Floor-Standing

Featuring a solid and stable base, a floor-standing IV pole offers stability for healthcare professionals when administering fluid. These IV poles are often equipped with wheels to support patient movement.

Telescopic Floor-Standing

Do you need variable height options when treating patients? Adjusted in height to accommodate a range of patient needs, the telescopic floor-standing IV pole assists a patient when sitting or lying down.

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Wall-Mounted Infusion Stand

Mounted on the wall,  wall-mounted infusion stands offer a convenient option when there’s a restricted space. For example, medical professionals use this IV pole in hospital corridors or clinics with limited floor space.

Telescopic Infusion Stand

Equipped with a winding mechanism allowing easy adjustment for stand height (which supports patients), this IV pole offers flexibility and is easy to facilitate patient mobility.

Paediatric Infusion Stand

Designed specifically for children, the paediatric IV pole can be made to a smaller size, providing a safe and comfortable administration of fluids for younger patients.

Clamp Infusion Stand

A clamp infusion stand, designed to attach to beds or chairs, offers a convenient, mobile solution for fluid administration. Medical professionals may use them in the emergency department or in situations where patient mobility is critical.

Clamp Infusion Stand

How should a practitioner decide on an IV pole for patients? Consider what saves space and offers mobility, load capacity, the material of the device, adjustable height, and how easy they are to clean.

The Access Health Tribute Hospital Emergency Transport Stretcher is excellent for Emergency, OR, GEM and General Ward use for mobility and comfort.

Whether you need support for secondary infusion for patients, intravenous infusion, or searching for ISO 9001 Certified medical supplies, Access Health is a reputable medical supplier and Australian distributor for Plinth 2000, Technodent, Tribute carts & trolleys, EquaGel and more.

Are you a treating professional looking for ways to support your patient? Have a read of the benefits of using ankle equipment in rehabilitation exercises.

Key Features to Consider

Patient standingn near IV Drip pole

From implementing drip chambers to secondary tubing or secondary medications, there are many aspects that health professionals need to consider when using an IV Pole. Let’s explore these now:

Durability

As with any specialised medical tool, you want to know that it will last and hold up over time. This is why it’s worth considering which material best suits your healthcare facility.

Stainless steel is great for hospitals, especially in operating rooms. It doesn’t rust, cleans easily, and stays strong. This means tools stay clean and work well for a long time, even with heavy use.”

Stainless steel is the same material throughout; even if you scratch or chip the surface, it is the same material underneath and lasts for many years in a demanding hospital environment.

On the other hand, chrome is more economical but generally won’t last as long as stainless steel. A coating is applied to raw steel, but once this layer becomes worn or cracks, it can rust from the raw steel underneath, being exposed to the element, thus becoming a problem for infection control.

Aluminium alloy is also a lightweight option; although the material doesn’t rust, it can corrode, and cleaning options can be restricted.

A plastic IV pole is used as a disposable option; however, it can be damaged easily, so it isn’t used often.

Style

Hook top style

What IV Pole style works for you? For example, 2 Hook Top is used in areas where not a lot of IV bags are needed. In some cases, these Hook Tops can go up to 8 hooks to separate bags and make them easier to read.

Base style

The base supports the IV pole, so it is important for stability. Treating professionals need to use their base wisely and consider how many infusion pumps need to be attached to poles.

Some may prefer the 5 Leg Spider style, which has extra weight for a sturdy base and is a great choice for holding multiple infusion pumps.

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Upgrade casters

Some hospitals may choose to update their casters for ease of transport. For example, transitioning between different types of flooring in and out of elevators can be difficult to navigate.

Additional accessories

Do you need support equipment such as infusion pumps, a monitor, or an oxygen canister mount?

As the IV Pole is used extensively within medical settings, you may want to consider the range of additional features such as laptop stands, attachable baskets, or extra loops or pads. Likewise, an adjustment knob can adjust the height of the IV pole.

Never overload the top of the IV poles, as they can become unbalanced and cause the medical device to fall. Also, always exercise caution when walking with an IV pole that has wheels, as this can create a trip hazard.

Is an IV Pole right for your hospital or healthcare setting? Consider the indirect cost of disposal at its end of life, the sustainability of construction materials, the cost of downtime if the IV pole becomes unusable or misplaced, and the costs involved with a staff member or patient if there is an injury. 

If you would like to learn more about how to support patients, read about the proven benefits of pressure mattresses for bedridden patients!

Reputable Practitioner Supplies for Melbourne Healthcare Settings

Are you looking for disability aids in Melbourne or specialised hospital products? Established in 1978, Access Health has grown into a major and reliable supplier of Practice Supplies, Patient Handling, Treatment Tables and Couches, Trolleys, Carts, IV, and Shelving, and more to progress your rehabilitation journey. We are also a Registered NDIS Provider.

We pride ourselves on going that little bit extra to locate the product you need if we do not have it in stock. To request an order, contact us today for a quote, submit an NDIS order form or shop by brand.

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