COVER STORY
Patient warming made easier
Keeping the patient at the correct temperature is crucially important not only during their surgical procedure but throughout their entire stay in hospital. Inadvertent Perioperative Hypothermia (IPH) is a common and recognised side effect of anaesthesia and surgery, the incidence of which is still believed to be as high as 70%.1
After the induction of
anaesthesia the core temperature of patients can rapidly decrease between 1.0˚C-1.5˚C during the first hour2 which can then cause: • Increased risk of medical complications, including delayed wound healing, haemorrhaging and a greater risk of morbidity.3
• Increased risk of surgical site infection.3
• Further treatment and prolonged hospital stay, resulting in higher costs.3
• Increased discomfort and anxiety for patients.3
Simple, portable and long lasting, Barrier EasyWarm®
from Molnlycke
Healthcare is set to improve patients’ experiences and make clinicians lives easier. Barrier EasyWarm active self-
warming blanket does not need any wires or hardware. It is a simple, vacuum-packed lightweight blanket with sewn-in warming pads. Within 30 minutes of activation, the blanket reaches an average optimal temperature of 40˚C which lasts for up to 10 hours. The heat is provided by a natural chemical reaction initiated by exposure to air. The 12 securely sealed warming pads are positioned to provide the maximum
heat transfer in the most efficient manner. The resulting heat is provided to the patient for optimal thermal comfort, helping prevent hypothermia in the peri- operative setting. “An ordinary blanket isn’t very
effective and the temperature management products currently used by hospitals are just too complicated,” says Dr Mark Kyker, MD, a US cardiac anaesthesiologist and the inventor of the active self-warming blanket. “This product is the first true easy-to use solution for peri-operative warming.” Minimising the risk of infection also
reduces length of hospitalisation. Preventative measures such as preoperative patient warming and active warming during surgery, have
been demonstrated to have a positive outcome in avoiding hypothermia.4 Outside of the operating theatre,
hypothermia also poses a risk for patients awaiting treatment including those in A&E departments or being transferred under ambulance care. You can find out more about this issue
from the convenience of your own home by registering for the Barrier EasyWarm webinar – simply register at
www.warmingupdate2012.com TheWebinar runs at 5.30 pm, on Thursday 8 November 2012, and is free to attend.
References 1 Torossian A. TEMMP (Thermoregulation in Europe Monitoring and Managing Patient Temperature) study group. survey on intraoperative temperature management in Europe. European Journal of Anaesthesiology 2007; 24: 668-75.
2 Matsukawa T, Sessler DI, Sessler AM et al. Heat flow and distribution during induction of general anesthesia. Anesthesiology 1995; 82: 662-73.
3 Barash PG (ed). ASA Refresher Courses in Anesthesiology. 1993; 21:Ch 7.
4 Just B, Trevien V, Delva E et al. Prevention of intraoperative hypothermia by preoperative skin surface warming. Anesthesiology 1993; 79: 214-8.
For more information contact: Molnlycke Healthcare Ltd The Arenson Centre, Arenson Way, Dunstable LU5 5UL Tel: 0870 6060766 Email:
barrieruk@molnlycke.com Web:
www.molnlycke.co.uk/easywarm
FAX ENQUIRY NUMBER: H1050
NOVEMBER 2012
THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL
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