Unintended hypothermia: Do you know the risks

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During surgery, general or regional anaesthesia causes a decrease in body temperature for most patients, regardless of age, gender and other factors. If not prevented or quickly addressed, this temperature drop can result in unintended hypothermia, defined as a core body temperature of less than 36.0°C, which increases the chances of surgical complications¹ and patient discomfort after surgery.

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More than just hot air – the facts on forced-air warming

Unintended hypothermia remains a common—but preventable—complication of surgery². Compounding the frequency of unintended hypothermia is its potential effect on patient outcomes. Perioperative hypothermia is associated with an increased rate of negative outcomes – including an increased rate of wound infections1, increased length of hospital stay1 and higher mortality rates³.
To combat this problem, hospitals and surgical centres often use perioperative warming technology to warm the patient, assisting in the maintenance of normal body temperature throughout the surgical journey.
More than just hot air – the facts on forced-air warming
Forced-air warming is the leading method of perioperative warming utilised by hospitals and surgical centres in Australia and New Zealand due to its low cost, effectiveness and safety. This surgical warming method is the most frequently studied, resulting in a great deal of clinical evidence demonstrating the benefits of forced-air warming. In fact multiple studies have shown that maintaining normal body temperature - through the use of forced-air warming - reduces the risk of surgical site infections.^4-6
Forced-air warming has been shown to be the most effective when used throughout the entire peri-operative process.
Despite the large number of people who are treated with forced-air warming products each day, claims from one competitor allege that the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ warming system may harm rather than help patients. Jay Issa, Global Business Director of 3M’s Patient Warming business, recently provided insight on these unsubstantiated claims and 3M’s commitment to patient safety.
Q. Is the 3M Bair Hugger patient warming system safe to use in orthopaedic and other procedures?
J. Issa. Absolutely. In the US the FDA cleared 3M’s Bair Hugger forced-air warming products to treat and prevent hypothermia for patients before, during and after surgical procedures more than 25 years ago. 3M has built its reputation as a credible, science based company by making products customers can rely upon. 3M Health Care earns the trust of health care providers everyday by making products for patients that are safe, effective and improve the quality of care. 3M would not continue to sell a product if there was reason to believe it harmed patients or providers.
Q. Does the Bair Hugger system increase the risk of surgical site infections, particularly in patients undergoing orthopaedic joint replacements?
J. Issa. No, these claims are entirely false and without scientific merit. Neither 3M nor reputable third-parties have been able to replicate a competitor’s claims and independent, randomised control trial studies have shown that perioperative temperature management with forced-air warming actually decreases risk of surgical site infections.1 In fact, when tested in actual surgical conditions, research shows that forced-air warming actually does not increase the bacterial count at the surgical site and may decrease it.^4-6
At 3M, we are confident in the scientific evidence that supports forced-air warming to maintain normothermia in surgical patients. The benefits—to patients, clinicians and facilities —of temperature management are clear.

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References
1. Kurz A, Sessler DI, Lenhardt R. Perioperative normothermia to reduce the incidence of surgical-wound infection and shorten hospitalization. Study of Wound Infection and Temperature Group.N Engl J Med 1996;334:1209–1215.
2. Kurz, A. Thermal care in the perioperative period. Best Practice & Research Clinical Anaesthesiology. Vol. 22, No. 1; pp. 39-62. 2008.
3. Tryba M, Leben J, Heuer L. Does active warming of severely injured trauma patients influence perioperative morbidity? Anesthesiology. 1996; 85: A283.
4. Zink RS, Iaizzo PA. Convective warming therapy does not increase the risk of wound contamination in the operating room. Anesth Analg. Jan 1993;76(1):50-53.
5. Huang JK, Shah EF, Vinodkumar N, Hegarty MA, Greatorex RA. The Bair Hugger patient warming system in prolonged vascular surgery: an infection risk? Crit Care 2003;7:R13–R16.
6. Moretti B, Larocca AM, Napoli C., et al. Active warming systems to maintain perioperative normothermia in hip replacement surgery: a therapeutic aid or a vector of infection? J Hospital Infect 2009; 73: 58–63.
3mFor more information about warming options and to find education materials, contact dgiblett@mmm.com or see the science at FAWFacts.com.