Do forced-air warming blankets increase surgical site infections?

The potential that forced-air warming systems may increase the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) by acting as a vector or causing unwanted airflow disturbances is a concern to health care providers.

When do you use Bair Hugger?

The Bair Hugger temperature monitoring system is intended for use during perioperative care by anaesthetists, recovery room nurses and ward nurses in a secondary care setting. It is used by the same clinical staff who currently monitor a patient’s temperature in the perioperative setting.

What temp do you use a Bair Hugger?

The Bair Hugger normothermia system provides the widest range of best-in-class patient warming products to help clinicians keep a patient’s core body temperature within the normothermic temperature zone of 36.0° to 37.5°C2,3 and safeguard patients while improving outcomes.

Which side of Bair Hugger goes on patient?

Always attach the hose to a Bair Hugger blanket before providing therapy. 4 Do not place the non-perforated side of the blanket on the patient. Thermal injury may result. Always place the perforated side (the side with small holes) toward the patient.

Do Bair Huggers increase infection?

A 2013 study published in The Bone & Joint Journal found that waste heat from forced-air warming blankets such as the Bair Hugger, “can increase the temperature and concentration of airborne particles” around patients in operating rooms, increasing the chance of infection.

What is a forced-air warming blanket?

Forced-Air Warming Blankets Forced-air warming promotes convective heat transfer by moving warm air across the skin, so the blanket provides thermoregulation at a lower temperature. Forced-air warming is available in hospitals because it does offer benefits but risks, as well.

How do you use Bair Hugger?

Application Steps. 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Multi-position upper.
Place. Once surgical positioning is complete, place the blanket on the patient.
Bend. Bend and conform the blanket on or around the patient to cover the greatest amount of skin surface area.
Remove. Remove adhesive strip backing.
Adhere.
Secure.
Unfold.
Connect.

How do you use a Bair Hugger blanket?

Are Bair Huggers safe?

“The Bair Hugger warming system is safe and effective. Dozens of scientific studies show that forced-air warming devices effectively warm patients before, during and after surgery and can reduce the risk of surgical site infections,” the company said in a fact sheet about infection allegations.

Can you use a Bair Hugger to cool a patient?

Air-circulating cooling blankets (Polar Air and Bair Hugger) Should not be used for cooling, only for skin counterwarming. Even at lowest temperature setting the induction speed is no higher than simple skin exposure (≈0.5°C/h).

Can a Bair Hugger cause a joint infection?

Pathogens, including antibiotic resistant bacteria spread in this matter can lead to serious infection during joint surgery and may result in amputation. Surgical site infection may also be more common in patients whose surgery used the Bair Hugger rather than another warming device.

Can a Bair Hugger warming system cause infection?

Testimony from the plaintiffs’ experts that the Bair Hugger can cause infection was incorrectly barred as unreliable, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit said on Monday.

What kind of infections can you get from Bair Hugger blankets?

Thousands of patients who used Bair Hugger blankets also reported serious infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Some studies suggest the forced air used by the blankets stirs up airborne particles which may lead to infection.

Why is Bair Hugger used in surgical suite?

Bair Hugger forced-air patient warming device is used during surgery to keep patients warm but may stir up contaminants in the surgical suite and increase the risk for serious infection.