In studies of operating room settings over the past decade, it was found that mean body temperatures were often lower than ideal resulting in decreased patient comfort, slowed healing, and sometimes, leading to hypothermia. Typically, some care is taken reactively to patients that express they are cold, or for surgeries lasting over 1 hour, however, the remainder of the patients were left untended. Based on this research, it was found that maintaining a warmer temperature provided more successful patient recovery.
How is thermal management accomplished?
Effective thermal management includes a combination of products and techniques that range from educating care workers, to maintaining warmer environments, to utilizing equipment such as blanket and fluid warmers. In an operating room, the mean body temperature for a patient often drops half a degree or greater but may produce no noticeable symptoms. Utilizing regular temperature monitoring, warming blankets, and warmed irrigation and injection fluids, the core temperature can be maintained to fend off infection, aiding in healing and comfort.
What kinds of thermal management equipment are available?
Enthermics Medical Systems has released a variety of units to aid in thermal management featuring blanket warmers, fluid warming cabinets, I.V. warmers, and even combination units for complete thermal management. These units feature a sturdy design, individual temperature management controls, maneuverability, and even usage reporting capabilities.
What does it cost to include thermal management in my facility?
Effective thermal management ranges in price based on type and number of units selected for your facility. Pricing for various units is available for you online by browsing our thermal management products. Also, many of these units are energy efficient, for little extra cost in operation. However, the most cost-effective benefit to implementing these units for enhanced patient care far outweighs the initial equipment cost in controlling overall patient health and recovery.