Study shows BARRIER EasyWarm single-use active self-warming blanket from Mölnlycke Health Care helps reduce hypothermia and improve patient comfort
BARRIER EasyWarm also cleared for use in the United States by the FDA.
A study presented at the Post-Graduate Assembly (PGA) in Anesthesiology in New York shows the benefits of patient warming using the BARRIER®EasyWarm®active self-warming blanket, which has recently been cleared for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition to reducing instances of hypothermia during surgery, the study shows that the blanket helps improve patient comfort.
Hypothermia is a common but preventable condition in the perioperative environment. It is also associated with increased risks of infections, bleeding, shivering, cardiovascular complications and general patient discomfort1.
The study presented at the PGA in Anesthesiology was randomised and carried out across five hospitals in Europe. It evaluated patients scheduled to undergo orthopaedic, gynaecological, or ENT surgery.
Patients in the intervention group were warmed pre- and intraoperatively using BARRIER EasyWarmblankets whilst those in the control group received no active warming. Patients with active warming had a significantly lower incidence of hypothermia intraoperatively (38% vs 61%) and postoperatively (24% vs 49%), compared with the subjects in the control group. Thermal comfort levels, measured by interviewing patients before and after surgery, were also significantly higher in the intervention group.
Professor Johan Raeder of the Oslo University Hospital, said:
“The BARRIER EasyWarmactive self-warming blanket is a welcome addition to the tools available to healthcare professionals in helping reduce hypothermia and associated risks. By contributing to increased comfort, the blanket also helps improve patient experiences of major surgical procedures.”
Eric De Kesel, President of the Surgical division at Mölnlycke Health Care, said:
“Patient warming is a new and exciting area for us, which typifies our strategic focus on meeting patient needs and contributing to safer, more efficient surgery.
“BARRIER EasyWarm is currently sold throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific and being granted FDA clearance gives us access to another important market, where we will launch during 2014.”
References:
- Perioperative thermoregulation and temperature monitoring. Insler SR, Sessler DI. Anesthesiol Clin. 2006;24:823-37.
Approved image for use:
- Patient using BARRIER EasyWarm
Theo Kjellberg, PR & Media Relations Manager
theo.kjellberg@molnlycke.com
+46 (0)31 352 3651
Mölnlycke Health Care is a world leading manufacturer of wound care and single-use surgical products and services to the healthcare sector. We have over 7,400 staff worldwide and an annual turnover of some EUR 1.2 billion across our two divisions: Surgical and Wound Care.
Our Surgical division offers solutions through a wide range of high quality single-use products and services that help healthcare professionals by improving safety and efficiency in the peri-operative environment. By working in close collaboration with healthcare professionals, we ensure a continuous exchange of knowledge and preparedness to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that provide better patient outcomes.
The BARRIER EasyWarm active self-warming blanket has 12 air-activated warming pads consisting of 100% natural material such as active coal, clay, salt, water and iron powder. The blanket maintains an average temperature of 44°C for up to 10 hours, raising skin temperature to a maximum of 42°C. Quick and easy to set up, the blanket can be used before, during and after surgery as it does not need any additional equipment such as fans, hoses of electricity.
