Intravenous fluid flow rates using two different flow control devices, the Dial-A-Flo® and the roller clamp.

This study compared the intravenous fluid flow rates of two different flow control devices, the Dial-A-Flo® and the roller clamp. Thirteen different solution administration sets from three different companies, four different solutions and six rates were tested over a four hour interval. Of the four solutions tested, one, the hyperalimentation solution with the Dial-A-Flow® could not be calibrated. The other three solutions, 5% Dextrose in Water, normal saline, and 10% Dextrose in Water were calibrated as prescribed by the Sorenson Research Company§s directions. This study identified two major variables that afffected the delivery of intravenous fluid, the Dial-A-Flo® / roller clamp effect and the administration set effect. Of the solutions that could be calibrated, it was determined that the Dial-A-Flow delivered a significantly higher percent of expected fluid volume than the roller clamps. This study also indicated that microdrip administration sets delivered a significantly higher percent of expected fluid volume than did the macrodrip administration sets.