COVER STORY
The evolution of patient warming
For many years, it has been accepted that patients get cold during surgery. This is due to a combination of factors: heat loss to the environment, the action of anaesthetic drugs and the administration of cold fluids. In certain types of surgery, and with surgery time, this presents a risk of inadvertent peri-operative hypothermia. Additionally, shivering on waking from anaesthesia is not only unpleasant, but is a risk factor for cardiovascular complications. Studies have shown that vasoconstriction and intra-operative hypothermia slows
bleeding and increases the risk of surgical site infection, in addition to reducing platelet activity, hindering coagulation. Revised NICE guidelines have also calculated significant net monetary benefit per case of averted hypothermia.
There are a number of methods used to keep patients warm, which include traditional methods such as the use of blankets and gels. Twenty five years ago Dr Scott Augustine (Minnesota, US) and his team invented forced-air warming (FAW). At that time, the FAW device was considered an
innovative way to appropriately deal with patient warming and the prevention of hypothermia. However, with latest research, health economic pressures and increasing concern over patient warming methods in ultra-clean surgeries, there was a clear need to evolve technology. After decades of research, the Augustine Temperature Management (ATM) team set out to develop a new system that accurately addresses the needs of healthcare providers. The result is an innovation that is safe, cost-effective and appropriate for all types of surgery, and can warm the patient pre- and post-operatively. HotDog is an air-free, water-free, gel-free,
state-of-the-art, peri-operative warming system. The technology features a semi- conductive polymer fabric, Thermasure, which is a unique, patented technology. The HotDog controllers deliver low voltage to the specialised blankets and mattress overlays via flexible cables, where
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WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM
MARCH 2017
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