Advantages Of Using Blood Warmer Cuff During Medical Procedures

By Mark Cooper


If you or someone you know is about to be added some pints of body fluid, there may be nothing to worry about since the procedure is largely considered to be safe. In the past however, when the blood warmer cuff and many other medical devices had not been introduced, transfusion was a very subtle procedure. These devices continue to do a perfect job at minimizing most risks associated with transfusion.

There are many medical practitioners around the world, who are yet to comprehend why they need to incorporate this device among others in their medical procedures. However, to better understand the use of such devices, it would be prudent to begin with looking at some of the threats that doctors face during delicate surgical procedures. It is equally important that you get to sit down with your doctor and see whether they use these tools.

One of the most serious conditions that is associated with transfusion is known as hypothermia. Usually, the body operates under an optimum temperature. When this temperature goes low beyond the recommended levels, normal body functions are inhibited. During transfusion, cold blood products are added to the patients to boost their levels. This products requires warming to increase its temperature to that of the body.

To avoid cases of hypothermia, medical practitioners recommend the use of warmers. These devices warm fluids that are about to be transfused into patients. This device is not used in all transfusions. It is only recommended during cases where the patient requires large transfusions, such as those that have gone through massive trauma. This is why it is vital for your doctor to conduct a series of tests before recommending warming of fluids.

It is important however, that when warming blood, temperatures should be checked to avoid hemolysis. This is where red cells are destroyed before reaching their normal lifespan. Such a condition would be counterproductive to the transfusion procedure. Once these red cells are destroyed, it would be useless trying to carry out a transfusion since the patient would only be receiving cytoplasm and plasma.

Transfusion procedures are not just limited to fluid warmers. Medical practitioners also use different pressure infusion devices, such as cuffs. When using this device, it is important for the doctor to follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer regarding the use of catheters, filters and ports. In cases where these instructions are not followed, catheter wall rapture may occur or even the rapture of vessels.

One of the best things about these medical devices is that they are generally known to improve clinical results for patients. Imagine you are a patient that has been diagnosed with hypothermia after a medical procedure, you may just end up staying longer at the facility than the doctors had projected. This will eventually lead to accumulated bills. You do not however, have to worry about this because of superior medical equipment.

Today, nearly all clinics, hospitals and surgery facilities employ patient warming techniques in their procedures. Besides improving clinical results, they also work to improve the comfort of the patient during those procedures. This is why regulatory agencies are now making patient warming practices mandatory.




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