Over the last few decades, advances in surgical practices such as arthroscopic, cystoscopic and orthopedic surgery have made for quicker procedures, shorter hospital stays and faster recoveries for patients. These procedures generally use a special endoscope that is inserted into a joint or vessel through small incisions to either repair tissue or to explore areas of concern. While these advances are welcome for both doctors and patients, they have required new ways of looking at traditional surgical practices. For example, arthroscopy requires that the patient receive large infusions of fluid throughout the procedure to irrigate the site, distend the joint and help create a larger space for the surgeon to repair the damaged area. Traditional IV poles cannot possibly handle the heavy load of fluid infusions necessary for these types of surgeries. Fortunately, the Power Lifter Infusion Stand and the Power Lifter II Infusion Stand, offered by Rehabmart, were designed to handle these heavy loads with minimal strain on the backs of nurses and surgical assistants.

  
The Power Lifter Infusion Stand was developed by Omnimed, a company based in New Jersey with 40 years of experience in developing medical products that are manufactured in the U.S. The Power Lifter II is easy to operate and features dual moveable columns with two sturdy stainless steel hooks which hold up to 5000 cc (up to 45 pounds) of fluid and are designed to minimize flow loss during container transfer. Foot operated pneumatic pedals located at the bottom of the unit allow for hands-free raising and lowering of the poles with a maximum height of 9 feet. A special manual locking mechanism ensures the poles will stay securely in place until the operator lowers the pole.

The Power Lifter features a heavy cast aluminum base with six sturdy non-conductive casters to provide stability whether the unit is at maximum or minimum capacity. The base of the unit is specially designed to act as a reservoir to catch any spilled solution, thus eliminating potentially dangerous slips or falls in the operating room. The unit is battery operated and fully rechargeable, which allows for ease of movement and safety from bulky power cords in the OR. The Power Lifter Infusion stand also comes with a single pole assembly and an optional low voltage light. The low voltage light is mounted on the base between the foot pedals and indicates a low battery charge with a bright, easily visible light.

Whether you opt for the single pole Power Lifter Infusion stand or the dual pole, you can be assured that fluids will be transferred to the patient safely and without fluid loss. Operating Room nurses will be grateful for the easy operation of the unit and the lack of physical effort to raise and lower heavy fluid containers. The Power Lifter Infusion stand is indeed a "win-win" product for both patients and medical staff alike.

Rachel Huber,
Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO