|
Inditherm patient warming
products are a cost effective method of preventing
hypothermia during anaesthesia and reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers
following surgery
Clinical Benefits of Warming
There is widespread clinical evidence of the benefits of patient warming for the
prevention of hypothermia. These studies are wide ranging, covering surgery and
anaesthesia, recovery room (PACU), the pre-operative period, emergency department,
patient transport, and more (Harper, et al.; Scheck et al.; Wong et al.; Kumar,
et al.). The clinical evidence shows wide ranging benefits such as reduced
morbidity and mortality, less time in recovery, lower infection rates, reduced
incidence of pressure sores and ulcers, lower blood product usage, shorter
hospital stays and large cost savings.
Performance Evaluation
In a randomized clinical trial Baxendale et
al. evaluated the performance of the Inditherm
mattress and a forced air patient
warming device during major abdominal and orthopaedic surgery. It was
concluded that the Inditherm system is able to prevent significant inadvertent
hypothermia during major surgery and has comparable results with forced-air
warming throughout.
This research was undertaken with the Inditherm mattress set at the minimum
temperature of 37ºC and the air-warming device set at the maximum of 43ºC.
Results also showed that the Inditherm system out-performed air warming in the
critical first hour.
Pressure Relief & Prevention of Sores and Ulcers
During research on the pressure-relieving properties of an intra-operative
warming device, Baker & Leaper concluded that with its inherent
pressure-relieving properties, the Inditherm system can help prevent pressure
ulcers during the intra-operative period and may offer superior pressure relief
compared with commonly used gel pads. Results showed that the Inditherm mattress
provided better or equivalent pressure relief when compared with operating table
mattress alone or with gel pad.
Pre-Operative Warming & Wound Infection Reduction
In a randomized controlled trial on pre-operative warming in the incidence of
wound infection after clean surgery, Melling et al. found that warming patients
prior to 'clean' surgery appears to aid the prevention of post-operative wound
infection. It was concluded that given the fiscal and humanitarian cost of wound
infection, patient warming in the pre-operative stage may be a cost- efficient
method of controlling expenditure. Similarly, Kurz et al. showed a much lower
infection rate in normothermic patients (6% infection) compared with hypothermic
patients (19% infection)
Accident & Emergency Hypothermia Re-warming
Research undertaken by Munns et
al. using Inditherm Patient Warming Systems in the
Accident & Emergency Department of St. Thomas' Hospital, London, concluded
that the Inditherm System is an effective method of re-warming patients with
hypothermia presenting to the Emergency Department.
Maintaining Normothermia during Surgery
The value of warming in medical practice has been known for
thousands of years in treating wounds and for pain relief and, more recently, it
has been established that avoidance of hypothermia by systemic warming can
reduce blood loss during surgery and post-operative infections.
It has been recognised that hypothermia in the perioperative period
is common, and many other associated complications can be avoided by using
active warming methods.
To read more of this article by David Leaper, MD ChM FRCS FACS;
Senthil Kumar, MS FRCS; and Nick Bettles , BSc, MSc, C.Eng, MIEE, please click
here >>
Improved Patient Warming for Better Clinical Outcomes
Inditherm's innovative, world-leading technology now leads warming practice
for patient care in surgery and other critical care situations. There is
widespread clinical evidence of the benefits of patient warming for the
prevention of hypothermia. Click here to read more of this article >>
References
- Comparison of the Inditherm Mattress and a forced-air patient warming
device during major abdominal and orthopaedic surgery. Baxendale, B.,
Giovanelli, M. (2000) Dept. of Anaesthesia, University Hospital, Queens
Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.
- Pressure-relieving properties of an intra-operative warming device.
Baker, E.A., and Leaper, D.J. J.Wound Care 2003; 12: 4, 156-160
- Maintaining perioperative normothermia. Harper, C.M., McNicholas, T.,
Gowrie-Mohan, S. BMJ 2003; 326: 721-722 (April)
- Perioperative normothermia to reduce the incidence of surgical-wound
infection and shorten hospitalization. Kurz, A., Sessler, D.I., Lenhardt, R.
N.Engl.J.Med 1996; 334: 1209-1215
- The effects of pre-operative warming on the incidence of wound
infection after clean surgery: a randomised controlled trial. Melling, A.C.,
Ali, B., Scott, E.M. and Leaper, D.J., (2001) The Lancet 358(9285):
882-886
- Perioperative Systemic Warming Reduces Morbidity and 30 Day Mortality
after Elective Major Abdominal Surgery. Kumar, S., Wong, P.F., Bohra, A.K.,
Leaper, D.J. Eur.Surg.Res 2004; 36 (suppl 1): 1-148
- Randomised controlled trial of systemic warming as an adjunct to
resuscitation in peritonitis: pilot study using APACHE II as an outcome
measure. Wong, P.F., Kumar, S., Leaper, D.J. Br.J.Surg. Vol 91, Suppl. 1, May
2004
- Active warming of critically ill trauma patients during intrahospital
transfer: a prospective, randomized trial. Scheck, T., Kober, A., Bertalanffy,
P., Aram, L., Andel, H., Molnar, C., Hoe, K. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2004 Feb
16;116(3):94-7
- Getting Warmer. Munns, J., Goudie, A., Mather, V., Leman, P. Emergency
Department, St Thomas' Hospital, London.
|
