Forced Air Warming blankets and orthopaedic joint surgery

[Michael Wishart]

Can I ask if any facilities which perform orthopaedic joint surgery have recently stopped using forced air warning blankets during procedures due to a perceived increased infection risk? Has anyone encountered this, or any recent studies/guidelines that recommend this?

My thoughts would be that there is an increased risk of infection that would likely be greater when patient body temperature is not controlled during a procedure than the risk of airborne particles from a well-maintained air warming blanket pump.

I am aware that there is a current legal case in the US in regard to a specific product and orthopaedic infections, but have not seen any definitive ‘unbiased’ evidence to support the claims in this.

Any comments?

Thanks
Michael

Michael Wishart
Infection Control Coordinator

A 627 Rode Road, Chermside QLD 4032
P (07) 3326 3068 | F (07) 3607 2226 | E michael.wishart@svha.org.au | W http://www.hsnph.org.au
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[sara.godden@healthscope.com.au]

Morning Michael,

Yes we have moved away from them, below is the info from our Perioperative Manager:

“Yes the lower limb VMO had a big issue with this about two years ago – that is when we did a trial with the electrical blankets and the ceramic beads blanket , DR *** was the person that brought in all the research about the air born infections

We now have x 8 electrical blankets systems – called the hot dog

And using the Easy patient Warmer from …. for the other patients”

If anyone wants the mane of the company please email off the list

Regards

Sara

Sara Godden CICP
Infection Control Coordinator
Acting Stomal Therapy Nurse
Brisbane Private Hospital
259 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane QLD 4000

Can I ask if any facilities which perform orthopaedic joint surgery have recently stopped using forced air warning blankets during procedures due to a perceived increased infection risk? Has anyone encountered this, or any recent studies/guidelines that recommend this?

My thoughts would be that there is an increased risk of infection that would likely be greater when patient body temperature is not controlled during a procedure than the risk of airborne particles from a well-maintained air warming blanket pump.

I am aware that there is a current legal case in the US in regard to a specific product and orthopaedic infections, but have not seen any definitive ‘unbiased’ evidence to support the claims in this.

Any comments?

Thanks
Michael

Michael Wishart
Infection Control Coordinator

A 627 Rode Road, Chermside QLD 4032
P (07) 3326 3068 | F (07) 3607 2226 | E michael.wishart@svha.org.au | W http://www.hsnph.org.au
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P Please consider the environment before printing this email

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MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.au

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MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

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