Becker's Clinical Quality & Infection Control

20 Sponsored by: Welmed's disposable patient warming surgical drapes … innovation for potential cost reductions, efficiencies and outcomes M aintaining normothermia during surgery is critical and studies indicate even a one degree drop in patient temperature can increase chances of infection, increase recovery times and in some cases result in death. The Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) recently published Guidelines for Prevention of Hypothermia (July 1, 2019). According to AORN 1 , "The updated guideline puts more detailed focus on preoperative selection of patient warming methods based on patient factors, procedure, operative position, location of IV access and warming device constraints." Welmed's innovative Disposable Patient Warming Surgical Drapes are designed with integrated warming technology to maintain normothermia while in the operating room for surgical procedures up to 4 hours, said Dave Fliss, Welmed Co-founder and Partner. A Warming Pad is integrated in the actual disposable surgical drape (patent-pending) and actively warms the patient's core and large extremity areas with significant arterial circulation, Mr. Fliss explained. Of course, as outlined in the recently published AORN Normothermia Guidelines, Perioperative Patient Warming is also critically important. According to Byron Burlingame, MS, BSN, RN, CNOR, AORN Senior Perioperative Practice Specialist and author of the AORN Guideline Updates, preventing hypothermia is not just about managing temperature in surgery. In practice it should include: 1. Assessing Every Patient Preoperatively 2. Monitor the Patient throughout Intraoperative Care 3. Continue to Manage Patient Core Body Temperature After Surgery 1 To further expand on these guidelines says Fliss, Welmed has also developed a line of Perioperative Warming and Thermal Products, including Thermal and Warming Drapes and Thermal Bouffant Caps and Booties. In addition, our patent-pending product designs are focused on having significant impacts on costs, efficiencies and outcomes. On Costs The current devices aimed at keeping patients warm intraoperatively often require a capital investment in machinery. Welmed's Disposable Patient Warming Surgical Drapes do not require such an investment, Mr. Fliss said. The sterile, Disposable Surgical Warming Drape is used just like the sterile disposable surgical drapes used today by placing the surgical drape on the patient, perform the procedure and dispose of the drape properly post use. Welmed Patient Warming Surgical Drapes do not require machinery, ongoing maintenance or laundry costs (like reusable drapes or blankets). In addition, the purchasing cost is comparable to how much a facility would spend on standard surgical drapes and the additional technology needed to keep patients warm. However, when you also consider the potential to reduce labor and increase productivity, the potential soft cost savings can be significant. Many healthcare systems provide patients with warming blankets from heating devices during the perioperative phase. Per clinicians participating in Welmed Product Development Focus Groups conducted in late 2019 and early 2020, often the warmed linen blankets only last 7 to 11 minutes. Given this short time span, it is not unusual to use multiple warmed blankets to keep the patient comfortable while awaiting surgery, says Dave. Welmed's Thermal and Warming products ensure lasting patient comfort before, during and after surgery, giving hospitals a significant advantage above those without both perioperative and intraoperative measures. Higher patient comfort is also reflected in patient surveys and are often factored into a hospital's reimbursement process. On Efficiencies Welmed products are also designed to increase clinical efficiencies. Machines needed to keep patients warm must often be transferred from room to room. If a facility has a limited number of warming machines and devices, machines may need to be transferred from room to room, or providers may have to delay surgical procedures. Because Welmed's Warming Surgical Drapes do not require machines, the drapes do not require equipment transfer, maintenance or setup, Mr. Fliss detailed. Additionally, there is no need to attach tubing, cords, filters or such other attachments to a machine or the warming drape. Perioperatively, the drape's ability to actively warm or passively retain heat for hours, eliminates the need for clinicians to fetch freshly heated blankets, allowing staff to support more pressing patient care requirements. On Infections Welmed products are also designed to help reduce the risk of infections. "By being a disposable item, you've greatly reduced the chance of possible acquired infection from one patient to another," Mr. Fliss explained. Most warming machines today use forced warm air through reusable hoses and are used from patient to patient. Per the feedback from clinicians in the Focus Groups, forced air blowing over the surgical site may lead to an increase in surgical site infections. Welmed's Disposable Surgical Drape eliminates the need for forced warm air, and therefore eliminating the risk of infection from blowing air. The single-use item also avoids the dangers of improper cleaned hoses, filters and machines. Conclusion Today, the current patient warming technology is effective at maintaining normothermia. "Welmed is proud to offer the healthcare industry an alternate technology while managing costs, enhancing efficiencies, work to reduce the risk of infections all while enhancing the patient experience. We are proud to announce a win-win-win solution for all!" n 1 https://www.aorn.org/about-aorn/aorn-newsroom/periop-today- newsletter/2019/2019-articles/hypothermia-prevention Welmed is a privately held, woman-owned manufacturer of disposable medical products headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Welmed's portfolio of products include Surgical Gowns, Drapes, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Equipment Covers and more.

• Cover