Infusion rates from different containers. A study of the influence of different types of container on intravenous infusion.

Different types of containers were investigated under standardised conditions to determine whether their design affected the rate of flow of the intravenous solution they contained. Fully collapsible plastic containers were found to empty fastest, with bottles intermediate, while semi-rigid plastic containers were slowest, particularly over the last 20% of their contents. Low flow rates were found to coincide with a high sub-atmospheric pressure within the container, being greatest in the semi-rigid containers and least in the fully collapsible containers. It is suggested, therefore, that resuscitation fluids should be supplied in fully collapsible containers which have an inherent tendency to rapid infusion.