Product Review: enFlow fluid warming system

PROCRNA.COM presents new products of interest to the anesthesia community.   Inclusion on this web site does not constitute an endorsement of the product.  Please review this information, visit the enFlow web site and obtain a demonstration from your local representative. 

Keeping surgical patients at a normal body temperature is a daily struggle for those in the medical field. Among the 45 million inpatient1 and 34.7 million ambulatory2 surgeries occurring annually in the United States, it is estimated that 50-90% suffer from hypothermia (defined as a core temperature below 36 degrees Celsius).3 Hypothermia in the perioperative environment is caused by a variety of factors including low operating room temperatures, large surgical incisions, a core-to-peripheral redistribution of body heat as a result of anesthetics, chilled IV solutions, surgical procedure length, and more.4 Hypothermia has a significant impact on postoperative outcomes, which are almost exclusively undesirable.

Hypothermia is one of the most preventable complications resulting from an operative procedure, and prevention is most effective when warming begins preoperatively5 and continues across the surgical workflow. Vital Signs Inc., a GE Healthcare Company, has introduced an IV fluid/blood warmer that helps hospitals start the warming process early and continue warming across the patient’s care journey to reduce the occurrence of hypothermia.

The enFlow* IV Fluid/Blood Warming System is helping hospitals warm their patients with mobility, speed, and accuracy. The patient-dedicated cartridge attaches in-line to standard IV fluid/blood delivery sets at the start of procedures and moves with the patient, allowing care givers an easy, efficient, and cost effective way to warm across each stage of the surgical process. When it is time to move from one area of the surgical workflow to another, the user simply removes the cartridge from the enFlow warming unit, allowing the IV set in its’ entirety to be moved with the patient when transported. Once the patient arrives at the next area, the cartridge is easily inserted into an enFlow warming unit stationed in that area and is back to heating within seconds. In addition to mobility and speed, the system also enables accurate temperature control with a differentiated warmer that sits close to the patient (reducing the opportunity for fluids to cool in the IV line) and has eight temperature sensors ensuring fluids are the right temperature for patients.

To learn more about the enFlow IV Fluid/Blood Warming System and the impact it can have on your Anesthesia Department.  Click here to visit the enflow web site.

*enFlow is a trademark of General Electric Company

1 Center for Disease Control and Prevention, FastStats. Inpatient Surgery, Data are for the U.S. Accessed November 29, 2011. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/insurg.htm.
2 Center for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Outpatient Surgeries on the Rise. Accessed November 29, 2011. http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/r090128.htm.
3 Young, V. Watson, M. Prevention of Perioperative Hypothermia in Plastic Surgery. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2006; 551-571.
4 Kurz A, Sessler DI, Lenkhardt R. Perioperative normothermia to reduce the incidence of surgical-wound infection and shorten hospitalization. N Engl J Med 1996;334:1209-15.
5 Paulikas, CA. Prevention of Unplanned Perioperative Hypothermia. AORN J. 2008; 88(3): 358-365. DOC1194144

Obesity, The Airway & Good Positioning

Troop Elevation Pillow

Every anesthesia provider across the country cares for obese and morbidly obese patients. Numerous studies now support that the head elevated laryngoscopy position (HELP) facilitates intubation and in general improves airway management of the obese patient. The Troop Elevation Pillow (TEP) was designed by a practicing anesthesiologist to achieve HELP quickly and consistently yields a predictable and stable result. The TEP is meant to replace a pile of unstable blankets; click here to go to Dr. Troop’s teaching web site.

If you have experience with this device, please return after you view Dr. Troop’s  web site and write a review for your colleagues.

 

Home

Welcome to PROCRNA.COM

Home for those who seek excellence in clinical practice and healthcare leadership

This web site is for Nurse Anesthetists and others who have a focus on living on the cutting edge of competent practice and inspired leadership.

  • Keep up to date with current clinical practice articles
  • Use empowering leadership to motivate and engage your team
  • Gain insight into leadership skills that give your team a sense of purpose
  • Improve engagement scores and productivity while boosting morale
  • Read meeting reviews to ensure value for your money

 

Click on the Services page for more information.

[twocol_one]

Clinical Forum

The PROCRNA clinical forum is your area to present and discuss topics related to clinical anesthesia that interest you. Have you had a case management dilemma that you would like to share? Read more…

Meetings

Have you been to a meeting lately? Was it a great experience or a waste of your valuable time and money? This is your opportunity to rate the meetings that you attend and review the ratings of others… Read more..

Wellness

If we are to give the best possible care to our patients, we must keep ourselves both mentally and physically fit. Become an active promoter of wellness among health care providers…. Read more..

Healthcare Leadership coaching

davis-tom-highresfinal-1-of-12

[/twocol_one]

[twocol_one_last]

PROCRNA Consulting Services

PROCRNA.COM is a web site designed by and for CRNAs. In addition to the professional topics shared on this web site, PROCRNA.COM offers a wide range of consulting services to… read more

Research

Any unpublished research completed by a CRNA or SRNA may be submitted here for a review. Read More…

Equipment/Product review

So many new drugs and devices on the market. Tell us what works and what doesn’t. Submit a product review or read the comments of others. Let the Anesthesia community know what works and what doesn’t. read more

Follow Tom on Twitter

 for the latest tips on effective and empowered leadership

[/twocol_one_last]