Iredell Health System Offers Bair Hugger Technology for Surgery Patients

Have you or someone you know woken up from anesthesia shivering? You may think it’s from the seemingly freezing temperatures in the operating room. Scientifically speaking, there’s a better answer.

“People become hypothermic not because they lose heat during surgery,” explained Al Van Duren, global director of scientific affairs for 3M’s patient warming business. “They become hypothermic primarily because the body’s heat is redistributed from the core to the arms and the legs. The average temperature of the body doesn’t change at all, but the core temperature changes a lot. This is due solely to the drugs used for anesthesia.”

Iredell Health System has long implemented Bair Hugger forced air warming in the operating room, but saw the need for forced air warming pre and post op as well. This is where the Bair Paws gown comes in.

According to the technology’s manufacturer, 3M, the Bair Hugger and Bair Paws normothermia system provides consistent, accurate, core temperature measurements and multiple options for patient warming before, during, and after surgery.

“Previously, we used the Bair Hugger for patients while in the operating room. They were given warm blankets pre-operatively and post-operatively,” said Toni Fortner, MSN, CRNA, BSN, and Director of Nurse Anesthesia Services for Iredell Health System. “Now, we can use the forced air warming system throughout the entire intraoperative experience. Our team thought Bair Paws would be a great addition to our departments to improve the overall patient experience.”

How Does It Work?
The purpose of the Bair Hugger system is to prevent hypothermia before it begins. This can be easily combatted using the innovative system. The system includes the Bair Hugger with forced warm air used intra-operatively. The air is pumped through tubes into the gown using a compatible warming unit. Recently Iredell Health System added Bair Paws technology to this system. This is a forced air warmer that can be used pre and post operatively, allowing the patient to adjust the temperature with a small remote. Studies show that a short, aggressive period of pre-warming is very effective to prevent hypothermia, while postoperative warming provides thermal comfort to reduce anxiety.

Why “Bair?”
When someone thinks of a bear hug, words that come to mind may include safety, warmth, security, and comfort. “Bair” is a combination of the words bear and air. Waking up from anesthesia can be anxiety-inducing and disorienting. The warm embrace of the Bair Hugger reduces these side effects. All surgical patients at Iredell Health System are provided with this technology, donning a gown in the preoperative area that stays with them throughout the whole perioperative experience.

What are Patients Saying?
“Patients in the pre-op area have reported the Bair Paws gown has provided warmth and comfort prior to surgery. From a clinical standpoint, adding Bair Paws along with the Bair Hugger has aided in maintaining the patient’s thermoregulation throughout the surgery experience,” said Heather Cheek, RN, Assistant Director of Iredell’s Post Anesthesia Care Unit and Outpatient Surgery.

3M’s patient testimonials speak for themselves.

“My physical comfort was increased 100%+ by the use of the Bair Paws system. Having been an OR nurse myself many years ago, I was very impressed with the level of comfort and security this system provided me – both pre-op, during the procedure, and post procedure. I know that the physical comfort provided helped allay my anxiety throughout,” said one patient who spoke to 3M about their experience.

For more than 70 years, Iredell Health System has been implementing technology to provide top-quality patient care. The Bair Paws gown for surgery patients is one of many ways Iredell continues to fulfill its vision to guide its neighbors to optimal health.