Intraosseous Infusion Tool Battles Cholera in Haiti

An intraosseous (IO) infusion system helps infuse fluids and drugs into the Haitian victims of cholera, whose veins are typically collapsed from severe dehydration.

The EZ-IO IO Infusion System provides immediate vascular access to the central circulation within seconds, delivering medications, intravenous (IV) fluids, and blood products to both adult and pediatric patients. The device is equipped with a specially designed cutting IO needle and small power driver, allowing the clinician complete control while avoiding the use of force. The EZ-IO provides rapid, smooth entry into the bone's medullary cavity, creating an immediate conduit to the central circulation.


Insertion sites include the proximal tibia, approximately 2 cm below the patella and 2 cm medial to the tibial tuberosity (depending on patient anatomy); the distal tibia insertion site is located approximately 3 cm proximal to the most prominent aspect of the medial malleolus, on the flat center aspect of the bone; the proximal humerus insertion site is located directly on the most prominent aspect of the greater tubercle. In all cases, once the insertion is completed, the limb is secured in place to prevent movement and accidental dislodgement of the IO catheter. The EZ-IO IO Infusion System is a product of Vidacare Corporation (San Antonio, TX, USA).

Larry Miller, MD, Vidacare's founder and chief medical officer, is in Haiti with US$100,000 worth of IO supplies, intending to visit the major cholera treatment centers in Haiti during the first two weeks of 2011, with the assistance of Project Hope (Artibonite River Valley, Haiti) and the Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF Nampa, ID, USA); Project HOPE will help coordinate in-country logistics, while the MAF will assist Dr. Miller and his team in reaching the cholera treatment outposts throughout rural Haiti to distribute the supplies and train clinicians on how to use IO to infuse fluids and drugs.

"This is the right thing to do. We have the tools that can save lives, and it's our corporate duty and our mission to help,” said Mark Mellin, acting CEO and president of Vidacare.

Related Links:
Vidacare Corporation
Project Hope
Missionary Aviation Fellowship