PATIENT WARMER
A patient warmer is a medical device that used to keep a patient warm.
It provides heat to patient’s body when they are feeling cold. It is used in
hospitals to keep patient warm during and after surgeries. It prevents the patient from getting too cold.
Types
of Patients Warmer:
There are different types of patients warmer, but mostly it looks like a blankets or pads. In this, a warm air or liquids go through the blanket or pad, which provide warm to the area of body it covers.
Air Warmers
This type of warmer have a blanket cover with small tubes inside. Warm air passes through the tubes, which provide heat to the patient’s body.
Water Warmers
In this type of warmer, warm water passes through the tubes inside the blanket which keep patient warm.
Conductive Fabric Warmers
This warmer is a special type of fabric which generates heat when an electric current passes through it. This fabric lays directly on the patient’s body to keep warm.
Radiant Warmers
This is a type of warmer in which a heating element is used as a radiant just like the sun’s rays on the patient body to keep warm.
Benefits of Patients Warmer:
Keeps Patients Comfortable
It provides warm to patients and increase comfort before or after any medical procedure or surgery.
Prevents from getting too cold
When patient get too cold it can lead to shivering, increase in blood pressure and other problems. Warmer helps to control situation.
Helps For Healing
Warm helps the body to heal fast as it increases blood flow which help in recovering faster.
Reduces Infections
Warmer decreases risk of surgical infection, as staying warm boosts the immune system.
Features of Patient Warmer:
Temperature Control
It has controls to adjust the heat level and provide the right amount of warmth for each patient.
Automatic Shut-Off
If the warmer gets too hot, it will shut off automatically, preventing to overheating.
Different Sizes
It comes in various sizes to fit as per patient's need and their body structure.
Easy to Use
Warmer have easy control so that any staff not familiar with this can also operate this device easily.
Portability
It has wheels so it can move easily where needed.
Best Patient Warmer Brands:
3M
It is an American company which makes the Bair hugger lines.
- Warm Air Flow- It blows temperature control warm air into a special blanket or gown worn by the patient.
- Disposable Blankets/Gowns – Warm air flows through disposable blankets or gown, which comes in various sizes.
- Portable Design- It has wheels through which it can easily move from one place to another.
Smith’s Medical
It’s a UK brand which offers models like Level 1 Convective Warmer.
- Temperature Control – It allows settings and adjusting temperature level as desired.
- Visible Display- It has digital display which show current warming temperature.
- Automatic Over temperature shut-off- If the warmer gets too hot, then it will automatically shut off as a safety feature.
Stryker
It is US medical device which provide warmers like Thermazor gown warmer.
- Quick Warming – This device allows the gown to warm quickly.
- Compact Design – It can easily fit in patient’s room.
- Alarms/Indicators – It has audible as well as visual alarms to alert if airflow gets blocked, temperature is out of range or other safety issues occur.
Cost:
It is quite expensive. It cost around Rs 50,000 to over Rs 5,00,000 depending on the type and features.
- A basic Air warmer blankets cost between 50,000 to Rs. 1,50,000.
- Advanced airwarmer can range Rs. 1,50,000 to Rs. 3,00,000.
- Water based patient warmer cost over Rs. 3,00,000.
- Smaller warmer just for specific body parts cost between Rs.75,000 to Rs. 1,50,000.
Many companies offer renting for patient warmer. Cost may vary depending on model, brand, supplier etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are patient warmers used for?
Ans. It is used to keep a patient warm after or before any medical procedure or surgery.
Q. How do they work?
Ans. It passes warm air through tubes to a blanket or pads placed around the patient to provide heat to their body.
Q. Are they Safe?
Ans. Yes, it’s safe as this warmer comes with the features like automatic shut off and alarms for the safety purpose.
Q. Are they difficult to use?
Ans. No, it is easy to operate. They have simple temperature control which do not require special training.
Q. How long do patient need them?
Ans. It is used for the full duration the patient having surgery or any other medical procedure.
